The Boston Celtics ended the year with a statement victory, demolishing the Toronto Raptors 125-71 in one of the most lopsided games in franchise history. Boston’s 54-point margin was their second-largest win ever, trailing only a 56-point blowout of Chicago in 2018.
Jayson Tatum led the charge, scoring 18 of his 23 points in the third quarter as the Celtics outscored the Raptors 45-18 to pull away.
Payton Pritchard added 19 points off the bench, and the Celtics connected on 22 of their 43 three-point attempts with seven players scoring double figures as they handed the Raptors their 11th consecutive loss.
“It’s all part of the process,” said Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla. “There’s still work to do, but tonight was a step forward.”
In Cleveland, the Cavaliers celebrated their eighth straight victory by spoiling LeBron James’s milestone game. Playing his first contest as a 40-year-old, James scored 23 points, but it wasn’t enough as the Cavaliers triumphed 122-110 over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Jarrett Allen dominated with 27 points and 14 rebounds, while Donovan Mitchell added 26 points. Evan Mobley contributed 20 points to help the Cavs improve their league-best record to 29-4.
James became the first player in NBA history to play in his teens and 40s. Despite his historic appearance, the Lakers trailed by five at halftime and never regained the lead. Austin Reaves led Los Angeles with 35 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo powered the Milwaukee Bucks to a thrilling comeback victory, overcoming a 19-point deficit to defeat the Indiana Pacers 120-112.
Antetokounmpo, returning from illness, scored 30 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, finding his rhythm in the second half.
The night also featured another standout performance from rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama.
The San Antonio Spurs cruised past the Los Angeles Clippers 122-86, with Wembanyama delivering 27 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and three blocks in just 26 minutes.
In Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his stellar form, scoring 40 points to lead the Thunder to their 12th straight regular-season win, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 113-105.
After trailing at halftime, Oklahoma City dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Timberwolves 43-23.
As 2024 ended, the Celtics’ blowout victory and the Cavaliers’ continued dominance underscored their positions as teams to watch in the new year.
