Coast-to-coast: Celtics retake East second spot; Henderson wins in season debut

Comebacks by the Boston Celtics and New Orleans Pelicans, a triumphant season debut for Scoot Henderson, a Kawhi Leonard showcase in a Clippers win, and a Bucks home victory over the Pacers highlighted a six-game NBA Saturday.

CELTICS, PELICANS STAGE COMEBACKS; HENDERSON TRIUMPHANT IN SEASON DEBUT

• Boston Celtics (34-18) def. Miami Heat (27-26), 98-96: Making his Boston debut, Nikola Vucevic helped the Celtics rally from 22 points down to topple the Heat. 

With the fifth-straight win, Boston also reclaimed the second spot in the East after the Knicks’ loss to the Pistons earlier. 

[RELATED: NBA: Vucevic solid in Boston debut as Celtics make 22-point comeback vs Heat]

• New Orleans Pelicans (14-40) def. Minnesota Timberwolves (32-21), 119-115: Saddiq Bey, Zion Williamson, and Trey Murphy III combined for 85 points, powering the Pelicans’ 18-point road comeback over the Timberwolves.

[RELATED: NBA: Zion Williamson, Pelicans ride second-half rally to upend Timberwolves]

• Portland Trail Blazers (24-28) def. Memphis Grizzlies (20-30), 135-105: After sitting out 51 games, Scoot Henderson returned to action as the Trail Blazers routed the Grizzlies in his season debut.

[RELATED: NBA: Scoot Henderson makes season debut as Trail Blazers end six-game skid]

• Detroit Pistons (38-13) def. New York Knicks (33-19), 118-80: The Pistons limited the Knicks to their season-low in scoring, routing the team that ousted them from last year’s playoffs by 38 points.

[RELATED: NBA: Pistons stifle Knicks with defense in battle of East leaders]

• Milwaukee Bucks (21-29) def. Indiana Pacers (13-39), 105-99: Kevin Porter Jr. had 23 points, eight assists, and seven rebouds as the Bucks downed the Pacers to claim their first three-game winning streak of the season.

• LA Clippers (24-27) def. Sacramento Kings (12-41), 114-111: The Clippers notched their first victory since trading James Harden and Ivica Zubac after surviving a late push from the Kings.

Kawhi Leonard had an all-around game with 31 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists as LA handed Sacramento its 11th consecutive loss.

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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.

Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.