Celtics Overcome Blazers for Fifth Straight Win

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Boston Celtics continue to dominate as they secured a 129-116 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night, marking their fifth straight win in the season.

In a game where the Celtics displayed their offensive prowess, superstar forward Jayson Tatum shone brightly, scoring 30 points, with 24 coming in the second half. The Celtics shot an impressive 54.5 percent from the field and nailed 23 of 50 three-pointers.

“We’re really just fine-tuning what we do well and getting better at what we need to work on,” said Celtics forward Sam Hauser, who contributed 24 points by hitting 8 of 10 from the three-point line. “We are getting ready for what’s to come in April, May, and June, hopefully.”

Boston’s victory reflects their strong position in the NBA playoff race, as they have vastly improved their standings, with a playoff seed almost secured. Coach Joe Mazzulla shared his satisfaction, stating, “I thought we were able to execute offensively against different coverages.”

The Celtics managed to maintain their momentum despite being without key players Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Xavier Tillman due to injuries and rest. In their absence, Payton Pritchard, a favorite for the Sixth Man of the Year award, started in his hometown, thrilling fans with his performance despite early foul trouble.

Pritchard scored eight points and helped set a dynamic pace, which allowed rookie Baylor Scheierman to flourish, scoring during critical stretches. “We’re figuring things out,” Tatum said. “We’re playing with a lot of different lineups.”

The Celtics’ depth was evident as they adjusted strategies, shifting between double-big lineups and smaller groupings to enhance spacing and three-point shooting. Tatum indicated this flexibility is key as they approach the playoffs, emphasizing the importance of execution, regardless of the scoreline.

Although Tatum started slow, he quickly transformed the game by initiating a 9-0 run after returning to the court, restoring Boston’s control after the Blazers had briefly tied the score.

Portland’s effort was spearheaded by their own moments of intensity, particularly former Celtics guard Dalano Banton, who tied the game in the second quarter before Tatum re-established dominance for Boston.

With playoffs approaching, Boston’s focus remains on building consistency while maintaining their momentum. As they gear up for the postseason, their performance against Portland serves as a testament to their potential strength moving forward.