BOSTON -- Jayson Tatum scored 41 points, including 20 during the third quarter, to lead the Boston Celtics to a 139-118 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, turning a marquee Christmas Day matchup featuring the two teams with the best records in the league into a blowout.
Boston held a one-point lead going into halftime before Tatum's scoring outburst in the third extended the advantage. He stayed on the court for the entire period and shot 7-of-10 from the field, with four rebounds, two assists and no turnovers.
Boston outscored Milwaukee 38-25 in the third to cruise to a victory, and the Celtics' 139 points were the most by a team on Christmas Day since 1983.