Boston continues with strong steps and maintains the top

Jayson Tatum scored 23 points and the Boston Celtics bounced back after suffering consecutive losses to Atlanta, coming away in the third period to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 104-92, yesterday in the NBA.

Kristaps Porzingis added 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown scored 17 points for Boston, which is 58-16, the best in the NBA this season.

The Celtics avoided what would have been their first three-game losing streak of the season. Derrick White scored 15 points and Jrue Holiday helped with 13 points, seven assists and eight rebounds.

For New Orleans, Zion Williamson scored 25 points and CJ McCollum added 24. The Celtics, who led 59-57 at halftime, took control of the game in the third period, limiting New Orleans to 11 points.

VÍCTOR WEMBANYAMA achieved the best production in his career with 40 points, and added 20 rebounds and seven assists for the San Antonio Spurs, who beat the New York Knicks 130-126 in overtime, despite a display of 61 points from Jalen Brunson on Friday night.

Brunson, who scored the most goals in his life, was one point shy of the franchise record. Carmelo Anthony had 62 on January 24, 2014. A missed 3-pointer by Brunson would have given the Knicks the lead with 5.4 seconds left in overtime.