NBA roundup: Celtics blow past Suns as Thunder move back on top

On Thursday, the Boston Celtics exhibited a commanding offensive display, led by Jaylen Brown who tallied an impressive 37 points, resulting in a resounding 127-112 victory over the Phoenix Suns.

Boston's trio of Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Al Horford collectively scored 87 points in an impressive display against the Suns, who were seeking revenge for their previous loss to the Celtics.

Tatum contributed 26 points, while Horford added 24, leading Boston to a win that brings them closer to clinching the top seed in the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs.

The Celtics dominated from beyond the arc, making 25 of their 50 three-point attempts, while the Suns struggled with only 11 successful shots out of 31.

Devin Booker was the top scorer for the Suns with 23 points, followed by Bradley Beal with 22, and Kevin Durant and Grayson Allen each contributing 20 points.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla praised Brown's performance, acknowledging his growth as a well-rounded player.
Mazzulla highlighted Brown's defensive intensity as a key factor in his success, emphasizing its impact on the team.

Additionally, Mazzulla commended Brown's scoring ability, stating that he can score against any opponent at any time.

Overall, Mazzulla expressed his enjoyment in watching Brown's well-rounded basketball skills on both ends of the court.

Oklahoma City now sits at the top of the Western Conference, tied with NBA champions Denver on a record of 46-20, following their recent victory.

In another game, the Milwaukee Bucks made a remarkable comeback in the fourth quarter to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers with a score of 114-105.

Despite the absence of injured NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid, the Sixers initially had a 10-point lead in the third quarter. However, they were gradually caught up by the home team.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the scoring for Milwaukee with 32 points, supported by Brook Lopez with 19 points and Damian Lillard with 17 points.

On the other hand, Tyrese Maxey carried the offensive load for the Sixers, scoring 30 points, including 5-of-9 from three-point range.

This win also maintains Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers' flawless record against his former teams since joining the Bucks in January.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers narrowed the gap between themselves and Denver and Oklahoma City with a comfortable 126-111 victory over the Chicago Bulls on the road.

Although Chicago briefly held the lead early in the first quarter, the Clippers quickly took control and remained ahead for the rest of the game. They even built a 21-point advantage towards the end of the fourth quarter.

Paul George scored 28 points, making 6 out of 7 three-point shots, and Kawhi Leonard contributed 27 points. The Clippers now have a record of 42-23, maintaining their fourth place in the Western Conference, trailing Denver and Oklahoma City by 3.5 wins with their 46-20 record.