Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics wanted revenge to keep away from consecutive losses for the primary time this season, and on Saturday night time the five-time All-Star delivered — traditionally.
Tatum scored a game-high 43 factors to associate with 15 rebounds and 10 assists, making the 26-year-old the primary participant in Celtics historical past to document a 40-point, 15-rebound and 10-assist triple-double — he’s additionally the twelfth in NBA historical past to take action. However extra importantly, it allowed the Celtics to shake off Thursday night time’s loss with a dominant 123-98 victory over the Chicago Bulls at United Heart.
“It simply sort of felt like he was enjoying, enjoying in a rhythm after which abruptly as soon as he begins hitting pictures, attending to the ring, it was like an avalanche,” Kristaps Porzingis advised reporters, as seen on NBC Sports activities Boston’s postgame protection. “And a lovely general sport from him, regardless that it seems like he stole a few my rebounds. They gave it to him but it surely’s OK it’s JT. … These are the very best sort of video games — whenever you’re not forcing something. He wasn’t forcing something. He was simply making the proper play. And more often than not making the proper play is simply him attacking, him creating one thing for us. And tonight he did that at a brilliant excessive degree.”
Boston and Chicago went toe-to-toe regardless of what the ultimate rating would possibly counsel, however Tatum was the difference-maker. The Bulls trailed by solely 5 factors halfway by the third quarter, giving Chicago loads of time to place the Celtics away once more, nevertheless, Tatum’s urgency to assault ensured there’d be no likelihood at déjà vu.
Tatum scored 27 factors within the second half — together with 18 within the third quarter — and ended the night time draining 9 3-pointers, placing him in place to document his first triple-double of the season as soon as the fourth quarter got here round. Nevertheless, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla reaffirmed that notching the triple-double was the least of Tatum’s considerations.
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When requested if Tatum requested to be inserted to tally the ultimate help wanted to seize the triple-double, Mazzulla responded bluntly.
“He wouldn’t foyer for that,” Mazzulla advised to reporters, as seen on NBC Sports activities Boston’s postgame protection. “No, he wouldn’t. There’s been a couple of instances the place I’ve really not been paying consideration and I didn’t put him in and afterward, I needed to apologize to him as a result of generally I really feel like generally due to what our guys do for one another it’s best to reward that.”
Tatum’s capability to beat the skin discourse, which was placed on show throughout final season’s NBA Finals, stays among the many eight-year veteran’s best strengths. Mazzulla understands the scrutiny that Tatum’s performances are run by every night time, solely making the third-year head coach extra appreciative of what he brings to the desk.
“I feel any time you see a man play like that, you’re simply sort of fascinated by it,” Mazzulla stated. “However I assumed he did it throughout the movement of the sport. I don’t assume he went outdoors of what we do and that’s a testomony to him. Simply his shot-making, his decision-making and his capability to rebound. It’s simply nice. I assumed he managed all the sport along with his poise and decision-making and took what the protection gave him.”
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Mazzulla added: “I nonetheless assume he will get taken as a right.”
