Porzingis scores 30 points, Celtics rout Suns 132-102 for 7th straight victory

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Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) shoots a 3-pointer over Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Phoenix Suns guard Tyus Jones (21) drives past Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Phoenix Suns center Oso Ighodaro (4) dunks against Boston Celtics forward Baylor Scheierman during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla watches his players on the court during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer pauses on the court after calling a timeout during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, center, dunks as Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42), Suns center Oso Ighodaro (4) and Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) look on during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Injured Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum reacts to a missed shot by the Celtics against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, leaps past Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) shoots over Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

By DAVID BRANDT

PHOENIX (AP) — Kristaps Porzingis scored 30 points, Jaylen Brown added 24 and the Boston Celtics blew past the Phoenix Suns 132-102 on Wednesday night for their seventh straight victory.

The Suns had a four-game winning streak snapped. Phoenix still has possession of the final spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament with nine regular-season games remaining.

Boston took control late in the second quarter, using a 27-6 run to take a 73-54 lead into halftime. The Celtics — playing without injured star Jayson Tatum — hit 10 3-pointers in the first quarter.

Porzingis shot 10 of 15 from the field, including 4 of 5 from 3-point range. Al Horford, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White all added 16 points.

Kevin Durant led Phoenix with 30 points on 11-of-16 shooting. Devin Booker added 14 points and 10 assists.

Tatum missed the game with a sprained left ankle, an injury he suffered Monday against the Kings. Coach Joe Mazzulla is hopeful Tatum won’t be out much longer.

The Suns were playing without Bradley Beal, who is out with a strained left hamstring.

Takeaways

Celtics: Boston has bulldozed through its past four games, winning all of them by double figures. The Celtics led by 34 points at one point in the third quarter of Wednesday’s game and took a 27-point lead into the fourth.

Suns: Phoenix has been playing better defense of late, but couldn’t contain Boston’s 3-point shooting attack. The Suns have a very difficult schedule over the final few weeks — including another game against the Celtics — making their road to the play-in tournament a treacherous one.

Key moment

The Celtics hit seven of their first nine 3-pointers, jumping to a 21-9 lead in a little more than four minutes. They never trailed.

Key stat

The 30-point margin was the Suns’ second-most lopsided loss of the season.

Up next

The Celtics play at the Spurs on Saturday. The Suns play at the Timberwolves on Friday.

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