NBA-leading Celtics defeat the Knicks 116-102 to win their eighth straight game.

NBA-leading Celtics defeat the Knicks 116-102 to win their eighth straight game.

With 30 points from Jaylen Brown and 22 from Kristaps Porzingis, the NBA-leading Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks 116-102 to win for the eighth time in a row.

During the first half of an NBA basketball game in New York on Saturday, February 24, 2024, Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives to the basket against New York Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo, center left. (Peter K. Afriyie/AP Photo)

NEW YORK (AP) — With 30 points from Jaylen Brown and 22 from Kristaps Porzingis, the NBA-leading Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks 116-102 on Saturday night to win eight games in a row.

For the Celtics, who climbed to 45-12 and now lead Cleveland by eight games in the Eastern Conference, Brown finished with eight rebounds and 13 of 24 field goals.

With fewer than two months until the start of the postseason, the All-Star forward played down the significant lead in the standings.

“None of that stuff really matters when it comes down to the playoffs,” Brown remarked. It seems to me that playing hard and matchups will be key factors. Home court (advantage) is obviously important. That is therefore crucial. When things get tough, you have to win basketball games.

For Boston, who have won ten of their previous eleven games, Jayson Tatum scored 19 points with six assists and six rebounds, and Derrick White contributed 13 points.

Tatum, who has at least five assists in seven of his past nine games and six rebounds in 16 of his last 17 games, has impressed Celtics coach Joe Mazzula with his play.

“I thought Jayson put on a beautiful basketball display today,” Mazzula remarked. His ability to dominate the game with his pick-and-roll pace, pick-and-roll throwing, and defense won’t go into the most valuable category. He put himself on (Jalen) Brunson; he was wonderful at creating for others and accepting two-on-ones. I applaud him for realizing that’s how we can prevail.

Brunson had 34 points on 12-for-25 shooting from the field and 4-for-9 from 3-point range and Josh Hart had 16 for the Knicks, who were swept by Boston in their four-game season series.

Boston opened the second half with a 4-point lead before the All-Star tandem of Brown and Tatum along with Porzingis, a 2015 first-round draft pick of the Knicks, sparked a 30-11 spurt to put the game out of reach.

Following two free throws by Isaiah Hartenstein to bring New York’s deficit to 67-61, Porzingis and Tatum connected on consecutive 3-pointers to increase the lead to 73-66. There were 8:21 remaining in the third quarter when the Knicks were forced to call a timeout.

After New York turned the ball over, Brown made a three-pointer to respond. Brunson was then fouled while trying a three-point shot, and he made all three of his free throws to make the final score 76-69.

With 3:53 left in the quarter, the Knicks and Celtics traded baskets before Porzingis launched a 10-0 run with a 3-pointer from the top of the key, and Brown finished it with a layup to increase the advantage to 88-71.

After baskets from Hart and Brunson, Boston answered with a 9-0 run that was completed by a 3-pointer from Tatum to make it 97-77 with 1:30 remaining in the quarter. The Boston supporters let out loud cries of “Let’s Go Celtics!” before the Knicks supporters erupted in jeers.

“Any kind of emotion is better than none at all,” stated Porzingis, who was jeered when his name was called during the lineup introduction and booed by Knicks supporters the night he was taken in the NBA Draft.