Boston
Booker joined Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, David Thompson, David Robinson and Elgin Baylor as the NBA’s 70-point scorers. Baylor also held the previous record against the Celtics with 64 points in Minneapolis for the Lakers on Nov. 8, 1959.
Just 20 years old, Booker scored 51 after halftime.
The win was Boston’s third straight, and avenged its buzzer-beater loss in Phoenix earlier this month.
The rematch was dominated early by the Celtics as they hit eight 3-pointers during a 37-point second quarter to grow their lead as high as 26 points.
Chamberlain had six 70-point games and his 62 points on Jan. 14, 1962, had been the most in Boston.
Phoenix has already been eliminated from playoff contention, and had only eight available players because of injuries. Younger than some lineups in the NCAA Tournament, the Suns have lost seven straight and nine of their last 10, and they were out of this one early before Booker’s explosive performance made it interesting.
His previous career best was 39, which he reached three times before Friday. He had 19 points at halftime, then scored 23 in the third quarter to get the Suns back within range.
Boston took advantage of a disastrous shooting start by the Suns to build an early cushion.
The Suns missed their first 13 shots from the floor before Booker finally hit the first field goal for Phoenix on a layup with 4:40 left in the first quarter.
Notes: The Suns’ previous scoring record was held by Tom Chambers. He had 60 points March 24, 1990. … Booker was 10 for 10 from the free throw line in the third quarter. … The Celtics’ Avery Bradley stayed overnight at the hospital Friday to get fluids and rest for what coach Brad Stevens said was a stomach bug that’s been going around the locker room. Rookie Jaylen Brown made his 18th start of the season in Bradley’s place. …Thomas extended his club record to 47 straight games with a 3-pointer. … It was Thomas’ 121 straight game in double figures, the most by a Celtics player since Antoine Walker had 126 from 2000-02.
Cavaliers 112, Hornets 105
Charlotte, n.c.
Kyrie Irving added 26 points and Kevin Love had 15 points and 12 rebounds as the Cavaliers snapped Charlotte’s three-game winning streak and remained atop the Eastern Conference standings.
Sixers 117, Bulls 107
Chicago
Saric scored 32 points, extending his double-digit points streak to 22 games, the longest by a rookie this season.
The 76ers were playing without injured post players Jahlil Okafor and Joel Embiid, two of their recent high draft picks. Embiid had knee surgery on Friday and is out for the season, while Okafor (knee soreness) is questionable for Sunday at Indiana.
Rockets 117, Pelicans 107
Houston
The Pelicans had scored seven points in a row, capped by a 3-pointer from DeMarcus Cousins, to cut the lead to two with about two minutes left.
Nuggets 125, Pacers 117
Indianapolis
Wilson Chandler scored 12 of his 24 points in the opening quarter, and Danilo Gallinari added 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Nuggets.
Wizards 129, Nets 108
Washington
Brandon Jennings had 18 points, one of three bench players to score in double-figures as the third-place Wizards moved a game ahead of idle Toronto in the Eastern Conference.
Magic 115, Pistons 87
Orlando, Fla.
It was another costly defeat for the Pistons, who entered the night just one game out of eighth place in the Eastern Conference and lost for the third straight time and the sixth in their last seven games.
Bucks 100, Hawks 97
Milwaukee
The Bucks, who have won 11 of 13 games, moved into a tie with Atlanta for fifth place in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks have lost six straight.
