The Boston Celtics needed a win to shake off the funk driving their three-game losing streak, and they got one and then some against the visiting New Orleans Pelicans Saturday night.
Third-year swingman Jayson Tatum had a career-high 41 points on 16-of-22 shooting (and 6-of-9 from deep) in Boston’s 140-105 win while reserve center Enes Kanter had a season-high 22 points and 19 rebounds.
Forward Gordon Hayward added 19 points and 5 boards on 8-of-11 shooting, and All-NBA point guard Kemba Walker added 17 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists as the Celtics reverted back to the team that had been steamrolling lesser opponents earlier in the season.
Watch Kemba Walker pretend like he's coming in for Jayson Tatum, who was still at 39 points, before telling him it's really for Gordon Hayward (and then having a good laugh about the deke). pic.twitter.com/asv41NWikT
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) January 12, 2020
The Pelicans were led by center Jaxson Hayes with 20 points with reserve floor general Frank adding 22 points off the bench. Forward Brandon Ingram added 16 points and 5 assists.
New Orleans was without several key players, including starting point guard Jrue Holiday, veteran shooting guard J.J. Redick and forward Derrick Favors, and the absence of Favors and Holiday in particular allowed Boston to feast inside and on the perimeter, shooting 55 % overall and 48.2 from three.
The Celtics held the Pels to 40 % from the field and 31 % on their 3-pointers on the other end of the floor.
The Boston Celtics next face the Chicago Bulls at home at 7:30 pm ET on Monday, Jan. 13th.
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