Kristaps Porzingis scored 30 points, Jaylen Brown added 24, and the Boston Celtics dominated the Phoenix Suns 132-102 on Wednesday night.
Boston (54-19) extended its winning streak to seven games and remains second in the Eastern Conference standings. Phoenix (35-38) had its four-game winning streak snapped but still holds the final play-in spot in the West.
The Celtics, playing without Jayson Tatum due to a sprained left ankle, took control late in the second quarter with a 27-6 run to lead 73-54 at halftime. Boston shot 50.6% from the field and buried 22 three-pointers.
Porzingis was highly efficient, shooting 10-of-15 overall and 4-of-5 from deep. Al Horford, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White each contributed 16 points as Boston overwhelmed Phoenix early, hitting seven of its first nine three-pointers.
Kevin Durant led the Suns with 30 points on 11-of-16 shooting, while Devin Booker had 14 points and 10 assists. Phoenix played without Bradley Beal, who missed the game with a strained left hamstring.
The Celtics have won their last four games by double digits, including a 34-point lead at one point in the third quarter. They never trailed in the game and led by as many as 27 in the fourth.
Phoenix struggled to contain Boston’s three-point shooting and now faces a challenging schedule down the stretch. The Suns will meet the Celtics again as they fight to secure their play-in position.
Tatum’s status remains day-to-day, with Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla hopeful for a quick return. The Suns, meanwhile, will need to regroup before their next game.
