The Boston Celtics tied the NBA record with 29 three-pointers in a dominant 144-118 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night. Sam Hauser led the offensive explosion with 24 points on eight 3-pointers, while Jaylen Brown added 23 points in 29 minutes before sitting out the fourth quarter. The win secured Boston's position as the Eastern Conference's No. 2 playoff seed.

Payton Pritchard contributed 21 points and 10 assists as eight Celtics players made at least two three-pointers. Big man Neemias Queta even joined the long-range barrage, hitting his first career 3-pointer to go along with 10 rebounds. The Celtics' 29 threes matched their franchise record set against the New York Knicks last October and equaled marks previously set by the Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks.

Boston led by as many as 41 points against a Pelicans team missing several starters. Brown returned to the lineup after sitting out Thursday's loss with left Achilles tendinitis, scoring 12 first-quarter points to help build an early 22-point lead. The Celtics achieved this milestone without Jayson Tatum, who continues to be managed carefully following his return from Achilles tendon surgery.