NBA

Celtics and Cavs gain ground in the East

The Boston Celtics defeat the Knicks, who were vying for second place in the conference, while the leaders extend their winning streak to seven, solidifying their status as the best team of the regular season.

El alero de los Boston Celtics Jayson Tatum (0) intenta hacer un mate. — Jayson Tatum (0) tries to dunk against the KnicksBob DeChiara-Imagn Images/Sipa USA / Cordon Press

Published by

Israel Duro

February 24, 2025

3 minutes read

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The Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics reaffirmed their dominance in the East. While the leaders secured their seventh consecutive win, further cementing their status as the best team of the regular season, the Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks, their main rival for second place in the conference.

In a thrilling game in Boston, the Knicks nearly erased a 27-point deficit, but the Celtics held firm behind their leader, Jayson Tatum. The forward scored 25 points and made 10 rebounds, and nine assists, while his teammate Jaylen Brown scored 24 points.

The visitors, who never gave up despite trailing throughout the game, found their standout performer in Dominican-American Karl-Anthony Towns, who finished with 24 points and 18 rebounds.

Celtics halt Knicks' epic comeback from the three-point line

The Celtics controlled the first half with their high-volume three-point shooting. Boston, the NBA's top three-point shooting team, attempted 44 of its 91 baskets (48%) from the three-point line on Sunday, sinking 17 of them (39%).

The hosts held a comfortable 77-50 lead early in the third quarter before the Knicks, fueled by Karl-Anthony Towns' 14-point surge in the period, fought back to defend their pride at TD Garden. A 32-12 run brought New York within four points (89-85), but the Celtics regained control with back-to-back three-pointers from point guard Derrick White.

The Knicks couldn’t withstand Boston’s surge and also suffered a setback when Karl-Anthony Towns injured his right leg on a drive to the basket, leaving the court in visible pain. Despite limping, the center returned and battled until the final buzzer, but the Celtics remained in full control, securing their fifth straight win.

The Cavs beat the Grizzlies in an intense game

Boston, ranked second in the Eastern Conference, was unable to close the gap with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 129-123. Shooting guard Donovan Mitchell led the scoring with 33 points, supported by reserve guard Ty Jerome, who added 26 points.

For the Grizzlies, who are currently second in the West, Jaren Jackson Jr. contributed 22 points, while Ja Morant added 21 points and dished out 10 assists.

With this victory, Cleveland secured its seventh straight win and maintains the league's best record with 47 wins and 10 losses.

Gilgeous-Alexander keeps team on track

In the West, the top-ranked Oklahoma City Thunder (46-10) also kept their momentum going, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 130-123, thanks to another impressive performance by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The Canadian point guard, a leading contender for the MVP award alongside Nikola Jokic from the Nuggets, torched Minnesota with an incredible performance, finishing with 37 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, three steals, and three blocks.

Anthony Edwards, another of the league's young stars, finished with 29 points and 10 rebounds for Minnesota.

Warriors beat Mavericks and pay tribute to Iguolada

In San Francisco, Stephen Curry scored 30 points to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 126-102 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Jimmy Butler, the Warriors' big offseason signing, added 18 points in his debut in front of the home crowd.

The victory capped off an afternoon of celebrations at the Chase Center, where the Warriors retired Andre Iguodala's No. 9 jersey. Iguodala, a four-time champion with the franchise, was also named MVP of the 2015 Finals.