It was another busy day around the Association, and Sunday’s slate was full of incredible performances. We break down two of the best, along with a magical comeback for the ages.
Jayson Tatum Posts Superb Triple-Double as Celtics Take Down Bulls
Jayson Tatum scored 43 points on top of 15 rebounds and 10 assists to help the Boston Celtics beat the Chicago Bulls, 123-98, at United Center.
Tatum also went 9-for-15 from downtown to become the second player ever to post at least 40 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists with 9 made threes. Kristaps Porzingis added 22 points and 7 boards for the Celtics (22-6), who pulled away midway thru the second quarter with a 12-0 run led by Tatum.
The Bulls (13-16), who had won three straight previously and had beaten the Celtics at TD Garden the other day, were led by Nikola Vucevic’s 19 points and 10 boards. Patrick Williams, Zach Lavine, and Coby White each had 14.
(Up next: Celtics vs Orlando Magic, Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks on December 24)
Spurs Rout Blazers Behind Victor Wembanyama’s Block Party
Victor Wembanyama dominated both ends as the San Antonio Spurs routed the Portland Trail Blazers, 114-94, at Frost Bank Center.
The French phenom filled the stat sheet once again for the Spurs (15-13) with 30 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and an NBA-high 10 blocks. Charles Bassey added 16 points and 12 rebounds off the bench, while Chris Paul and Keldon Johnson chipped in 11 apiece.
Shaedon Sharpe led the Blazers (9-15) with 25 points, while Anfernee Simons had 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 steals.
(Up next: Spurs vs. Philadelphia 76ers, Trail Blazers vs. Dallas Mavericks on December 24)
Magic Storm Back from 24-Point Deficit to Stun Heat
The Orlando Magic keep making magic somehow as they found a way to stun the Miami Heat, 121-114, at Kia Center.
Already without their three top players Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs, the Magic (18-12) lost two more key cogs in Moe Wagner (injury) and Wendell Carter Jr. (ejection). But they soldiered on and authored a furious fourth-quarter comeback, wiping out a 24-point deficit behind Cole Anthony.
Anthony finished with a game-high 35 points, including the dagger three-point play that put the Magic up 115-110 with less than two minutes left. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 24 points, while Goga Bitadze 18 points, 13 boards, and 2 blocks. Bam Adebayo led the Heat (13-13) with 23 points and 6 boards, while Tyler Herro had 22 points, 6 boards, and 5 dimes.
(Up next: Magic vs. Celtics, Heat vs. Brooklyn Nets on December 24)
