The Celtics’ record went from 45-12 to 45-12, giving them the best record in the NBA. They also extended their win streak to a season-high 12 games and grew their lead over second-place Cleveland in the Eastern Conference to eight games.

Nineteen points were scored by six different Boston players, led by Jayson Tatum with 19 points, six boards, and six assists.

Tatum said, “Our team has a lot of good players.” “We always say that we’ll give each other space.” You need to know that it’s a beat game. In the end, it will come back to you.”

Tatum says that the players think about the big picture and keep in mind that the end goal is to win the NBA title in June.

“We have a really good team and we understand the important goal, what we’re trying to accomplish, so every single night we’re trying to share the love, play the right way, and make sure we win more often than not,” said Tatum.

The Knicks lost, 34–23, and Jalen Brunson led the way with 34 points and nine assists.

The Knicks were Porzingis’s first NBA team, and he made two 3-pointers and scored five points during a 17-5 run by Boston in the third quarter. This gave the Celtics their biggest lead to that point, 84–71, and helped them build a 97–84 lead at the half. The Celtics were hitting 68% of their shots from the floor going into the fourth quarter.

In the middle of the fourth quarter, Boston stopped the Knicks from scoring for five minutes, which helped seal the deal for New York. The Celtics went ahead by as many as 20 points.

With a 101–86 win over Brooklyn in Minneapolis, the Minnesota Timberwolves took sole control of the Western Conference lead.

The T-Wolves got better with 29 points from Anthony Edwards and 28 points from Karl-Anthony Towns. They are now 40-17, one half game ahead of Oklahoma City for the second-best record in the NBA.

With their fourth straight loss, the Nets fell to 21-35.

Magic is lifted by Banchero

Paolo Banchero’s three-point play with 0.1 of a second left in the game gave the Orlando Magic a 112-109 win at Detroit. It was the only other game that night. Banchero made the game-winning jump shot while being fouled, and he then added the free throw to make it an exciting win.

“It was important,” Banchero said through tears of his last shot. “The game was tough, and I’ve been sick.” It’s been awful for me. I only give credit to my team. They made the whole game better.

“I have no idea why I am crying.” The game was tough. “I’m happy with my team.”

Seventeen Orlando players scored in double figures, led by Banchero’s 15 points. The Magic are now 32-25, tied with Indiana for sixth place in the East.

The Pistons lost their fifth straight game and fell to an NBA-worst 8-48. Cade Cunningham scored 26 points to lead the team.

With 96 seconds left, Franz Wagner’s free shot gave Orlando a 109-105 lead.

Cunningham reacted with a jump shot and a layup for Detroit. The layup tied the game at 109-109 with 12 seconds left, setting the stage for Banchero’s heroics.