NBA Notes: Celtics, Sam Hauser, Knicks, Jalen Brunson, Raptors

Celtics

Sam Hauser scored 24 points and knocked down eight 3-pointers as the Celtics defeated the Pelicans 144-118, clinching the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Boston tied an NBA record with 29 made 3-pointers, matching its own franchise mark set earlier this season. The Grizzlies and Bucks have also reached that total.

Jaylen Brown added 23 points in 29 minutes, while Payton Pritchard finished with 21 points and 10 assists. The Celtics also secured the Atlantic Division title with the win.

Boston controlled the game throughout, building a lead that reached 41 points against a short-handed New Orleans team. Brown helped set the tone early, scoring 12 points in the first quarter as the Celtics jumped out to a large advantage.

Jayson Tatum did not play, as Boston continues to manage his workload following his return from Achilles surgery. Eight Celtics players made at least two 3-pointers, including Neemias Queta, who hit the first triple of his career.

Knicks

Jalen Brunson scored 29 points and Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 points and 10 rebounds as the Knicks defeated the Raptors 112-95, clinching the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.

New York improved to 53-28 and extended its winning streak to five games. The Knicks were unable to move up to the No. 2 seed following Boston’s victory, but secured home-court advantage in the first round.

Brunson was efficient, shooting 12-of-18 from the field, while Towns went 8-of-12. The Knicks took control in the second quarter, outscoring Toronto 29-15 to build a comfortable halftime lead.

OG Anunoby exited in the second quarter with a left ankle injury and did not return.

Raptors

The Raptors saw their two-game winning streak come to an end with a 112-95 loss to the Knicks, falling to 45-36 on the season.

Toronto remains in sixth place in the Eastern Conference but has not yet secured its playoff positioning heading into the final game.

Brandon Ingram led the team with 16 points, while Ja’Kobe Walter and Scottie Barnes each added 15. The Raptors kept things close early but were unable to keep pace after New York’s strong second quarter.

Toronto cut the deficit to nine midway through the third, but the Knicks responded with a 9-0 run to regain control. New York also held a significant edge in the paint, outscoring the Raptors 58-48.

The loss continues a recent trend, as Toronto has now dropped all five meetings with New York this season.