Tatum scored 38 for the Pistons, Bridges scored 45 for the Heat, an unlikely win for the Pacers

Jayson Tatum goes to the All Star Break and the Celtics have the best record in the NBA. The Celtics did what they had to do against the young Pistons, clinched the win 127-109 and now they’ll rest in anticipation of the continuation (basically not Tatum, who will be in the All Star Game).

Tatum led with 38 points, with Malcolm Brogdon adding 25 points.

With the Pistons, Bojan Bogdanovic had 28 points and Jared Ivey had 17 points, while James Wiseman had 11 points and 5 rebounds on his debut with his new team.

THE DODECALPTA: 31-26, 66-51, 97-89, 127-109

Nets – Heat 116-105

Mikal Bridges got his…gun and the rest was history for the Nets, who survived the 116-105 heat and seemed to be slowly recovering from the…chaos of the past few days and the trades of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

Bridges’ 45 points – including 15 in a row in the 90-89 fourth quarter that pulled his team away – led the way for the winners, with Cam Thomas adding 19 points and Cam Johnson adding 18 points.

On the heats, Bam Adebayo had 24 points and 13 rebounds, Gabe Vincent had 21 points, and Max Struss had 18 points.

THE DODECALPTA: 26-25, 52-56, 83-80, 116-105

Pacer – Bulls 117-113

The Pacers pulled off one of the upsets of the season, forcing the Bulls into a new…reflection. Indiana showed its teeth after coming back from -24 in the first period, winning 117-113 and ending its commitments before the All Star Break on a positive note.

Buddy Hield’s 27 points on 6/10 3-point shooting led the way for the winners, with Aaron Nesmith adding 21 points and Myles Turner adding 17 points.

For the Bulls – who were without DeMar DeRozan – Zach LaVine had 35 points, Kobe White had 25 points and Nikola Vucevic had 19 points.

THE DODECALPTA: 15-39, 42-58, 82-86, 117-113

Hawks – Knicks 101-122

The Knicks had a party in Atlanta, defeating the Hawks 101-122 and going to the All Star Break on a 3-game winning streak while looking in great form.

An in-form 28-point Jalen Brunson led the Knicks for another night, with Julius Randle adding 25 points and ARJ Barrett adding 17 points (but on 6/16 shooting).

For the Hawks, DeAndre Hunter had 20 points and Trae Young had 19 points (but on 4/14 shooting) and 11 assists, while DeZade Marie had 6 points on 3/12 shooting.

THE DODECALPTA: 21-37, 44-66, 76-91, 101-122

Thunder – Missiles 133-96

The Thunder dismantled the Rockets for the second time in two weeks, this time winning 133-96 for their third win in their last 4 games. This was Houston’s 7th straight loss.

Cy Gilgeous-Alexander led with 29 points, Lou Dort added 15 points.

With the Rockets, Jabari Smith had 15 points and Jaylen Green had 14 points (but 3/10 shooting).

THE DODECALPTA: 38-21, 76-54, 116-78, 133-96

Grizzlies – Jazz 117-111

The Grizzlies saw it all against the Markkanen-less Jazz after blowing a 24-point deficit. In the end, they won – albeit narrowly – by 117:111 and go into the All Star Break with a smile.

Jaren Jackson’s 26 points led the way for the winners, with Desmond Bain adding 24 points and Ja Morad adding 20 points (but 8/26 shooting).

For the Jazz, Kelly Olynyk had 28 points and 14 rebounds, Jordan Clarkson had 17 points, and Ochai Agbaji had 17 points.

THE DODECALPTA: 38-24, 63-47, 88-80, 117-111

Hornets – Spores 120-110

LaMelo Ball recorded his 3rd triple-double of the year (and 9th of his career) and the Hornets defeated the disappointing Spurs 120-110, giving San Antonio their 14th straight loss, their worst performance in Texan history .

Ball, with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, led the way for the winners, with PJ Washington adding 22 points and 10 rebounds and Gordon Hayward adding 16 points.

For the Spurs, Malachi Branham had 23 points and Keldon Johnson had 21 points (but on 6/20 shooting).

THE DODECALPTA: 32-32, 60-57, 93-86, 120-110