Jayson Tatum Saves Boston Celtics Season by 46 Points


There was a time when the Boston Celtics’ season was in danger of turning into a fine pile of dust. They broke a losing record in late January. They were battling a series of injuries. There were questions about whether Jayson Tatum could coexist with Jaylen Brown – is it time for the team to consider trading Brown? – with inevitable criticism In the first season of Ime Udoka as a coach.

It’s a familiar history at this final stage of the season, but worth repeating, especially now. Why? Because on Friday night, after an endgame meltdown earlier in the week, the Celtics were facing qualifying in Milwaukee. Outside their cocoon, as they prepared themselves for Game 6, the questions swirled: Had they ruined their luck? Can they somehow figure out the decision to extend the Eastern Conference semifinals with the Bucks?

But the Celtics seem to be embracing the woes. Maybe they’re conditioned to give their best when everyone else thinks they’re gone, a sand castle about to be swept into the sea. Down? Out? Their sand castles were apparently reinforced with steel beams and they proved it with a 108-95 win.

“This was a big moment for all of us,” Tatum said moments after he delivered one of the best individual performances in the NBA postseason. “I think we showed a lot of resilience and growth.”

After Tatum finished with 46 points and 9 rebounds, there was no doubt that he would help the series even in three games. In the process, he somewhat overshadowed Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was trying to drag the Bucks to the finish line with 44 points, 20 rebounds and 6 assists. It was a game that deserved game seven, and the Celtics did it. Game 7 is in Boston Sunday afternoon.

“I believe everybody in that locker room,” Tatum said. “We have what it takes.”

Miami Heat, who Philadelphia knocked down 76ers Starting at the end of the season on Thursday, they await the winner in the Eastern Conference finals with the opening game of this series on Tuesday. The Heat must have been pleased to see the Celtics expand their lineup with the Bucks: Now these teams have time to beat each other a little more.

Celtics, “You have two juggernauts” Marcus Smart I said. “We beat each other up.”

The Celtics are grateful to be in that position after they crashed in the fourth quarter of Game 5 on Wednesday. This match could have haunted them after missing the 14-point lead. Smart, in particular, was furious with himself for making a few blunders late in the game. He remembered going straight to the team’s training facility after the match, and then two sleepless nights before Game 6.

“I feel like I let my team down,” he said.

Udoka said the good news is that the Celtics played well in Game 5 until they stopped playing well. The winning components were there. And again in Game 6, this time they were on the screen for exactly 48 minutes.

Smart was terrific, finishing with 21 points and 7 assists without turnovers. Brown scored 22 points. And consider the contributions of Derrick White, a former Division II player and trading deadline who was everywhere in the final three minutes of the first half. A 3-pointer hit followed by a short jumper. He committed a charging foul on Antetokounmpo. He then fired two free throws, giving the Celtics a 10-point lead at halftime.

But the truth is that Smart, Brown and White were part of the supporting cast. The stage belonged to Tatum.

“It went into another mode,” Smart said. “We saw it in your eyes”

From the start of the playoffs, since the Celtics christened their first-round streak with the Nets. game winning turnstileTatum went into business building his reputation as one of the league’s wildest talented players.

No, it wasn’t immune from the occasional congestion. In a narrow defeat to Milwaukee in Game 3, he hit 4 out of 19 from the field and missed all six of his 3-pointers. But he’s averaged 36.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists in three games since then, shooting 47 percent off the court.

On Friday, Tatum played an excellent all-round game. He did more than score. After a third-quarter timeout, he sacked Bobby Portis of the Bucks and took a layup and a 17-point lead for Brown.

Tatum also managed to counter anything Antetokounmpo could throw the Celtics, which was just too much. The Bucks were threatening to miss Antetokounmpo’s 3-pointer in the fourth quarter. Tatum continued to record the Celtics’ next 10 points in a flurry that limited him to a deep 3-pointer over the Bucks’ Pat Connaughton.

“Frankly, I know when to start,” Tatum said. “You feel that rhythm.”

Of course, no one counts Milwaukee. The Bucks are the reigning champions and Antetokounmpo has intergalactic achievements. But without the presence of Khris Middleton, an All-Star forward who sprained his left knee, Antetokounmpo had to do more Antetokounmpo work than ever before.

He needs more help from his teammates on Sunday, especially against Tatum, who is a star in his own right.

now, later survival and growing seasonThe Celtics see nothing but opportunity ahead of them.

“We still have a chance to make this a better story,” said Udoka.



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