Tatum scores 40 points as the Celtics easily beat the Knicks for the 2nd time this season, 131-104

NEW YORK (AP) — Jayson Tatum scored 40 points and the Boston Celtics easily handled the New York Knicks for the second time this season, winning 131-104 on Saturday night.

Payton Pritchard added 25 points off the bench for the Celtics, who rebounded from their loss to Dallas on Thursday in an NBA Finals rematch to win for the fifth time in six games and move 2 1/2 games ahead of the Knicks for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Derrick White had 17 and combined with Tatum for all the points in a 19-3 spurt in the third quarter that broke open the only time all night it felt like a game. The Knicks, who trailed by double digits most of the night, had cut an 18-point deficit to 70-67, but by the time the run was over Boston led 89-70.

Jalen Brunson scored 36 points for the Knicks, who lost for the second time in nine games — both at home the last two Saturday nights on national TV. Josh Hart had 17.

Celtics: With Jrue Holiday already out with a shoulder injury and Kristaps Porzingis scratched shortly before the game with an illness, the Celtics leaned heavily on Tatum, Pritchard and White, who combined for 17 of their 19 3-pointers.

Knicks: The Knicks hoped their offseason moves would help them close the gap with the Celtics. But the Celtics blew them away in a 132-109 romp on opening night after raising their championship banner and New York's largest lead against Boston this season is one point.

The Knicks missed their first 10 shots while the Celtics raced to a 12-2 lead.

Tatum had 19 points and White 14 in the third quarter. The Knicks had 28.

The Celtics visit Miami on Monday night, and the Knicks are at Indiana on Tuesday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) drives to the basket against Boston Celtics forward Xavier Tillman during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) defends against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket against New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) and New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) drives to the basket against Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) drives to the basket against Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) battles New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns for the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts after making a 3-point shot against the New York Knicks during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket against New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) and New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

PHOENIX (AP) — Devin Booker made a mid-range jumper with 2.4 seconds remaining to lift the Phoenix Suns over the Milwaukee Bucks 108-106 on Monday night for their fourth straight win.

It's a crucial victory for the Suns, who stayed in the final position for the Western Conference play-in tournament with 10 games remaining in the regular season. Kevin Durant scored 38 points, while Booker added 19, including the clutch 20-foot jumper after catching the in-bounds pass in the final moments.

Brook Lopez missed a turnaround jumper at the buzzer that could have tied it, ending a frantic final stretch. Milwaukee was led by Giannis Antetokoumpo, who scored 31 points. Lopez added 23.

Milwaukee's Kyle Kuzma hit a corner 3-pointer with 1:22 left while being fouled by Durant and completed the 4-point play for a 105-103 lead. Durant responded with a 3 with 26.2 seconds left to put the Suns up 106-105.

Lopez made 1 of 2 free throws with 10.7 seconds left to tie it at 106, setting up Booker's winner.

Durant scored 13 points in the third quarter to help the Suns take an 81-78 advantage into the fourth.

Bucks: It's a tough loss for the Bucks, who are fighting for the No. 3 through No. 6 playoff positions in the Eastern Conference with the Knicks, Pacers and Pistons.

Suns: Coach Mike Budenholzer has tinkered with the playing rotation all season in an effort to find a competitive group to put around Booker and Durant. The current mix of Nick Richards, rookie Ryan Dunn and Collin Gillespie isn't perfect, but its been better than most.

Dunn threw down a huge one-handed jam over Antetokounmpo in the third quarter for a 68-67 lead.

Phoenix had a 52-36 rebounding edge.

The Bucks are on the road against the Nuggets on Wednesday; The Suns host the Celtics on Wednesday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives past Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) and guard Kevin Porter Jr. (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 24, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) drives on Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 24, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, right, fouls Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 24, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker drives between Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) and center Brook Lopez during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 24, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers reacts to a call against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 24, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. (5) drives against Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, center left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 24, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. (5) drives on Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 24, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) drives against Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 24, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)