Final: Celtics 141, Clippers 133 (2OT) - Tatum erupts for 39 in instant classic

Jayson Tatum finished two points shy of his career-high with 39 points and Marcus Smart added 31 points, helping the Celtics grind out a win in a double overtime classic on Thursday night. Tatum was at his best in crunch time, scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter and both overtime frames combined, outplaying Kawhi Leonard (only 5 points of his 28 came in 4th qtr and overtimes), putting together arguably his best two-way performance in a Celtics uniform.

Five players scored in double figures in the win overall for Boston with the starting five combining for 122 points on the night. Gordon Hayward added 21 points and 13 rebounds including several big plays in the final minutes of double overtime to lock down the game for the C’s. Lou Williams had a team-high 35 points for the Clippers but needed 33 shot attempts to get there.

The C’s now head into the All-Star Break just one game behind the Raptors for the No. 2 seed having won 11 of their last 13 games.

• Jaylen Brown has been ruled out after suffering a calf contusion in Tuesday's loss to the Rockets. The Clippers will be without starting guard Patrick Beverley and will continue to start Lou Williams in his place.


• Marcus Morris will make his return to the Garden for the second time this season in a different uniform after being acquired by the Clippers last week. He's averaging 11.5 points per game for the Clippers in the two contests he's played for them so far.


• Brad Stevens on his relationship with Doc Rivers over the years: "Doc has been great to me. I didn't know him hardly at all before he came into the NBA. We do an event together every year that he started, that he still comes back to, and I always enjoy my time with him. He's a great coach, unbelievable at what he does and obviously big shoes to fill seven years ago, after I came, trying to even think about how to fill his shoes."


• Kemba Walker will still be dealing with a minutes limit around 30 for his sore left knee. “We’ve met with him and the medical staff today and talked about it. Obviously the medical staff, and him, and all of us will get together and continue to make sure we maximize him now, but that he’s ready to roll when it’s all said and done,” Stevens said.