03/14/26 07:37:00
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03/14 19:35 CDT Tatum scores 20 points in 32 minutes, Celtics hand Wizards 11th
straight loss 111-100
Tatum scores 20 points in 32 minutes, Celtics hand Wizards 11th straight loss
111-100
By KYLE HIGHTOWER
AP Sports Writer
BOSTON (AP) --- Jayson Tatum had 20 points and 14 rebounds in a season-high 32
minutes, Neemias Queta had 24 points and 10 rebounds and the Boston Celtics
withstood a late charge to beat Washington 111-100 on Saturday night and send
the Wizards to their 11th straight loss.
Tatum had his second double-double since making his season debut earlier this
month. Jaylen Brown added 16 points to help the Celtics snap a two-game skid.
Boston's lead grew to 30 points in the third quarter, but Celtics coach Joe
Mazzulla kept Tatum on the court to allow him to reach a high for minutes in
the four games he's played in since his return from Achilles tendon surgery. He
had been capped at 27 minutes in his previous three games.
Washington, which was coming off erasing a 17-point deficit to force overtime
in a loss at Orlando on Thursday, chopped Boston's lead to 12 in the fourth
quarter. But the Celtics got a layup from Tatum and 3-pointer by Sam Hauser to
help them close it out.
Tristan Vukcevic had 22 points to lead the Wizards.
Boston tried early to exploit the Wizards' vulnerability in the paint and fed
the ball to Queta, who scored eight of the Celtics' first 10 points and
finished with 22 in the first half. Luka Garza also took advantage, connecting
on his first three shots and scoring six quick points. He finished with 15
points in 15 minutes.
Washington 7-footer Alex Sarr didn't score until the 4:38 mark of the second
quarter.
Boston finished with a 54-30 advantage in scoring in the paint.
Up next
Wizards: Host Golden State on Monday.
Celtics: Host Phoenix on Monday.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
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