Even when they’re not lighting up the scoreboard from beyond the arc, the Boston Celtics can win if they play with energy and movement. They defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 121-99 tonight to demonstrate their point.

Boston led fast break points 23-6 and finished with 34 assists on 49 made baskets while only committing three mistakes. Even though they made 15 of 40 threes tonight, the running game was more of their main priority.

In addition to improving their record to 2-2 on their current five-game road trip, the Celtics made NBA history by becoming the first team to win 50 games in a single season. They are still leading the Eastern Conference with a record of 50-14, eight games ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks. The Blazers drop to 18-46 and maintain their position as the West’s bottom team after the loss.

53 points were scored by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown together. Al Horford and Derrick White both stopped three shots.

Payton Pritchard, an Oregonian, took Jrue Holiday’s spot at the start due to tendinopathy in his left knee, and Al Horford replaced Kristaps Porzingis due to discomfort in his right hamstring. Svi Mykhailiuk wasn’t present due to a personal conflict. Several players were absent from Portland, including Malcolm Brogdon (right elbow tendinitis) and former Celtic Robert Williams (knee surgery).

Horford, who made his first three three-pointers and concluded the first quarter with nine points, two assists, and a block, helped the Celtics get out to a fast start. Boston led 37–28 at the end of the quarter, having made 15 of 27 field goals, 6 of 12 three-pointers, 12 assists, and only one turnover.

In the second quarter, the lead increased to 17 points. Luke Kornet finished three lobs near the rim during his fruitful minutes. Anfernee Simons scored two straight baskets as the Blazers responded with an 11-point run. However, the Jays spurred the Celtics to a 10-2 run that gave them a 66-52 lead at the half.

The first half saw eight triples from both teams, although the Celtics had a 50.9% to 42.9% overall shooting advantage against the Blazers. Boston made 27 field goals with 20 assists and only had one turnover. With 17, Brown had the most points, followed by Tatum with 12 and six assists. The Celtics had a 15-0 fastbreak point edge and were also sprinting. Deandre Ayton and Simons combined for 27 points in the first half for Portland.

The Celtics came out swinging in the second half, going up 79-60 with six layups and dunks in the opening four minutes between Brown and Tatum. Once more, the Blazers rallied behind evenly distributed points and eventually made some fast-break baskets. With three blocks, Matisse Thybulle provided Portland a defensive boost, and the Blazers closed the gap to nine points with a 15-5 run. When Brown and Sam Hauser made back-to-back midrange jumpers, that was over. Three quarters in, the lead was 88-75.

Dalano Banton, who Brad Stevens sent to Portland last month essentially for a trade exception, came up big in the fourth with two triples. Hauser answered with a triple of his own, and Tatum finished with a lovely pass to Oshae Brissett for a layup.

As Boston opened the game open in the final minutes, Hauser continued to be very effective from long range, making four threes in the fourth and six overall. With 22 points in the end, he finished. Pritchard finished with eight rebounds, eight assists, and eleven points.

Tomorrow night, the Celtics resume their work at 9 p.m. EDT, as they conclude their road trip against the Utah Jazz, led by Danny Ainge.