BROWN, HAUSER PUSH HARD FOR CELTICS

Boston surprisingly solid without Tatum but coach wants more, starting against Portland

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Not having Jayson Tatum was supposed to make things extremely difficult for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

But 30 games into the season, Boston have won 19 and stand in third place in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics take aim at victory No. 20 when they visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Dec 28 (Dec 29 morning, Singapore time).

Boston have won four straight games and 14 of their last 18 as they enter the second contest of a five-game road trip.

But Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla wants, and expects, more.

“We're not where we need to be,” he told reporters. “But we're getting better, and it’s because the guys do a great job of just buying into learning at a high level. And it’s a credit to them.”

Tatum ruptured his right Achilles tendon during the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the New York Knicks seven months ago. He is expected to miss most, if not all, of the season.