Los Angeles (AFP) - Jayson Tatum produced an electrifying 51-point display as the Boston Celtics kicked off the NBA's Martin Luther King Day holiday schedule with a 130-118 win over the lowly Charlotte Hornets on Monday.
Two days after scoring 33 points against Charlotte on Saturday, Tatum once again took centre stage with a commanding performance as the Eastern Conference leaders claimed a seventh straight victory.
Tatum brought up his half century in the closing seconds, nervelessly draining a long-range three-pointer which drew roars of appreciation from the home crowd at Charlotte's Spectrum Center.
It was the final act of an 18-point fourth quarter from Tatum, who made 15-of-23 from the field with seven three-pointers, nine rebounds and five assists.
Tatum's display marked the fifth time in his career he has posted more than 50 points in a game.His career high remains a 60-point performance against San Antonio in 2021.
Monday's tally also means the 24-year-old is the Celtics all-time leader in regular-season 50-point games, surpassing franchise icon Larry Bird's total of four.
"It's been a while since I scored 50, so I needed that one," Tatum joked after the win, adding that scoring 51 points on the national holiday to honor civil rights hero King carried added meaning.
"Without him I wouldn't be able to do what I do and live out my dream," Tatum said.
Apart from a fleeting moment in the first quarter when Charlotte led, Boston were always in control of Monday's encounter.
Although Charlotte got to within two points at 103-101 midway through the fourth quarter, the Celtics took charge down the stretch.
Boston victory saw them improve to 33-12 at the top of the East, 4.5 games clear of second-placed Brooklyn.
Tatum got scoring support from Derrick White (19 points) while Malcolm Brogdon added 16 off the bench and point guard Marcus Smart chipped in with 10.
Jalen McDaniels (26 points) and LaMelo Ball (25) combined to lead Charlotte’s scoring.
The Hornets have now lost five straight and remain rooted to the bottom of the Eastern Conference with 11 wins and 34 defeats.
In other early games on Monday, Milwaukee recovered from back-to-back defeats against Miami with a battling 132-119 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
Once again without Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks looked to be in trouble as Indiana led by double digits in the third quarter at Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum.
But the Bucks rallied in the fourth to outscore Indiana 39-21 to claim the win.
Jrue Holiday once again came up big for Milwaukee with a season-high 35 points.
