The Boston Celtics held a 20 point second quarter lead, and then had to hold on to defeat the Phoenix Suns 102-94 at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona Monday night.
Jayson Tatum led Boston (51-23) with 23 points and six rebounds, as the Celtics won their fourth straight game and pulled within three games of Toronto for the top spot in Eastern Conference. Marcus Morris had 20 points, before re-tweaking his ankle late in third quater and didn’t play in the fourth. Al Horford had 19 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Terry Rozier added 16 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
Phoenix (19-56), had pulled within 48-45 at the half and later had come all the way back to tie the game at 56-56 in the third quarter, before Boston regained control to take a 77-65 lead into the fourth. Josh Jackon led the Suns with 23 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Tyler Ulis added 19 points, five rebounds, and eight assists, while Troy Daniels chipped in 18 points and six rebounds.
Boston will finish off their four game road trip with a stop in Utah to battle the Jazz Wednesday night at 9:30 p.m.
