Basketball

BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum scored 31 points and had nine rebounds and the Boston Celtics rolled to a 139-96 win over the short-handed Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Damian Lillard had 42 points and 10 assists, Anfernee Simons added 26 points and the Portland Trail Blazers rallied to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 122-112 on Wednesday night.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — James Harden refused to stump for an all All-Star bid. After another standout game in a Philadelphia 76ers win in which he fell one rebound shy of a triple-double, Harden can let his statistics sell his candidacy.

Michael Malone might coach Nikola Jokic in the All-Star Game. He might get the rare chance to coach against him, too. Malone and the staff of the Denver Nuggets have clinched their trip to Salt Lake City for All-Star weekend.

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are getting a national television audience on Saturday. Just in case.

Max Abmas of Oral Roberts won the NCAA scoring title as a sophomore, averaging 24.5 points and he helped his team become just the second No. 15 seed in history to reach the Sweet 16.

Central Connecticut State Blue Devils (6-17, 4-5 NEC) at Saint Francis (BKN) Terriers (11-11, 4-5 NEC) New York; Thursday, 2 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Cent. Conn. St.

DENVER (AP) — Jamal Murray is locked in right now — with his shot, with his swagger and especially with his confidence in his team. “It’s fun to play basketball," the Denver point guard said. “But we still have room to improve.

Los Angeles Lakers (24-28, 13th in the Western Conference) vs. Indiana Pacers (24-28, 10th in the Eastern Conference) Indianapolis; Thursday, 7 p.m.

Charlotte Hornets (15-37, 14th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Chicago Bulls (23-27, 11th in the Eastern Conference) Chicago; Thursday, 8 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Charlotte will try to stop its three-game road skid when the Hornets take on Chicago.