NBA leaders Boston Celtics have lost their third game in a row. The record champions conceded a 117:120 after overtime against the New York Knicks around Isaiah Hartenstein.
The Celtics had already missed a win against the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic and lost their lead in the Eastern Conference. The team now has a small buffer against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Knicks leader Julius Randle recorded 37 points, Hartenstein contributed 4 points. Jayson Tatum, who was selected to the All-Star team for the fourth time, was the Celtics’ top pitcher with 35 points but was unable to avert the loss before Saturday’s home game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Despite 40 points from Kyrie Irving, the Brooklyn Nets were unable to benefit from the Celtics’ next blunder and unexpectedly lost 122:130 to the Detroit Pistons. It was only the 13th win of the season for the Pistons, only the Houston Rockets have won fewer games so far. The 95-113 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers was the 38th loss of the season for the Texans, who are bottom in the Western Conference.
The Dallas Mavericks won 99:95 against the Phoenix Suns without Luka Doncic, who was substituted early on with an injury, and thus defended a direct playoff spot. Doncic twisted his ankle early in the game and couldn’t continue playing. A series of four wins ended for the Suns.
