NBA news and highlights: Celtics keep win streak alive, while Blazers and Jazz win big

NBA.com India Staff

NBA news and highlights: Celtics keep win streak alive, while Blazers and Jazz win big image

Friday's NBA slate featured just three games around the league, but there was no shortage of action, with plenty of superstars in action.

If you missed any of the games, we've got you covered with all the storylines, best fantasy performers, can't-miss highlights and box scores from everything around the Association.

Top Storylines

Celtics win fourth in a row

The Boston Celtics look like they're beginning to build some momentum, after winning their fourth game in a row, beating the Knicks 128-100.

Kyrie Irving led the way with 22 points, while Al Horford added 19 points and 12 rebounds. Jayson Tatum added 17 as Boston move to 14-10 on the season.

Jaylen Brown returned after a three-game absence due to a bruised lower back, putting in his best performance of the campaign, with a season-high 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting.


Boston brought the energy from the jump, piling on 38 points in the first quarter as both teams shot the lights out to start the game. The Knicks cooled off in the second period as the Celtics took a 11-point lead into the half and never looked back.

New York had no answer for Boston's transition game as they piled on a season-high 26 fast-break points and 58 points in the paint.

Tim Hardaway Jr. led the Knicks with 22 points, while Enes Kanter added 14 points and 11 rebounds and Noah Vonleh had 12-point, 10-rebound double-double. New York has now lost four of its last five games.

Irving left the game in the fourth quarter, with what appeared to be a shoulder injury, while it was an early night for Aussie Aron Baynes who suffered left ankle sprain with 1:51 left in the first quarter.


Jazz cruise to big win over Rockets

Rudy Gobert was ejected within the first three minutes of the game, but the Utah Jazz didn't miss a beat a they took care of the the Houston Rockets 118-91 in Salt Lake City.

Gobert was called for his second foul and then ejected after he expressed his frustration at the scorer's table, leaving Derrick Favors with a big job ahead. Favors responded with a 24-point, 10-rebound double-double on 10-of-13 shooting, leading them to their fourth win from their past five games.

Joe Ingles had the hot-hand from deep, scoring 18 points, including 4-of-6 from the three-point line, while fellow Ausse came off the bench with 15 points, five assists, two rebounds and two steals in 21 minutes of action. 


Utah held a 53-45 lead at the half, but blew the game open in the third, outscoring the Rockets 38-11 in the period. Houston made life tough for themselves, turning the ball over 22 times, which Utah turned into  33 points on the night. James Harden had a team high seven, while Chris Paul coughed it up five times.

Harden scored just 15 points, while Paul and Clint Capela added 12 each.

Another slow start dooms Suns

It was déjà vu for the Phoenix Suns, who just two days after scoring nine points in the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings, they followed it up with another poor start, going behind 34-9 to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Portland had lost three games in a row and didn't waste any time taking to the Suns on their way to a comfortable 108-86 win.

With CJ McCollum sidelined with an ankle injury, Jake Layman put in a starring performance, with a career-high 24 points, scoring 15 in the first quarter on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting including three triples.

Damian Lillard was right there with him, scoring 15 of his own in the opening period 6-of-8 shooting as the duo outscored the Suns by themselves in the first. Lillard finished with 25 points and eight assists.

Best fantasy performers

Kyrie Irving: 22 points (9-of-15 FG), eight assists and four rebounds 

Damian Lillard: 25 points (8-of-14 FG), eight assists, five rebounds, one steal and one block

Jake Layman: 24 points (10-of-13 FG), seven rebounds and two steals

Derrick Favors: 24 points (10-of-13 FG) and 10 rebounds

Cant-miss-highlights

Up high for Al


How did he get that to go?


Dante with the flish!


GET UP!!


Box Scores

Knicks at Celtics | Suns at Blazers | Rockets at Jazz

NBA.com India Staff