The Celtics have been by no means involved about Jayson Tatum, nor ought to they’ve been.
As Al Horford mentioned after Monday’s loss to the Knicks, “It’s a long season. There’s going to be ups and downs, and he’s the last guy I’m worried about.”
But after three lackluster performances popping out of the All-Star break – capped by his first profession ejection late in Monday’s loss – the Celtics wanted a response from their celebrity. Tatum mentioned that after just a few weeks on the street, he was wanting ahead to home-cooked meals and seeing his son, Deuce. Maybe there was one thing to that. Tatum returned to type on Wednesday night time, scoring 41 factors and including 10 rebounds and eight assists, as he gave the Celtics the separation they wanted in a 117-113 victory over the Cavaliers.
The Celtics – after shedding their first two conferences of the season to the Cavs in additional time – grabbed a win over a possible future playoff opponent as they stayed a half-game again of the Bucks for the highest seed within the Eastern Conference. Donovan Mitchell scored 44 factors within the loss.
Horford scored 23 factors as he matched his profession excessive with six 3-pointers. On an evening when the bench gave them a uncommon dud offensively, these two have been the distinction because the Celtics ran away from the Cavs within the second half.
The Celtics solely led by three at halftime after an in depth first half when the Celtics’ beginning 5 ignited a powerful surge to begin the third quarter. That unit – the meant 5 of Tatum, Horford, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Robert Williams – solely began their fifth recreation collectively of the season on Wednesday as they attempt to type much-needed cohesion down the stretch heading into the playoffs.
They opened the second half with arguably their finest run of the season collectively – on each ends. Tatum discovered Horford for an open 3-pointer, Tatum made a free throw and Smart capped a 7-0 spurt with a 3-pointer, forcing a Cleveland timeout.
The Celtics’ beginning group went on a 17-6 run to grab management and took a double-digit lead they by no means relinquished as Tatum obtained cooking. Tatum scored 13 of 16 Celtics’ factors throughout one stretch of the third because the C’s took a 17-point lead after his 3-pointer and layup, then discovered Horford for one more 3-pointer to push Boston’s result in 20.
Tatum went 13-for-21 from the ground – together with 4-for-6 from lengthy vary – and made 11 of 14 free throw makes an attempt as he dismissed his unhealthy capturing performances from the final three video games. It helped the Celtics maintain off a late rally from the Cavs, who trailed by 15 with three minutes left however got here again to make it a four-point recreation within the remaining minute.
Source: www.bostonherald.com