Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Jayson Tatum took the court on Sunday for the Boston Celtics with a various look from the curls he d cultivated because the groups arrival in Orlando. He had meant to cut his hair prior to the Celtics opening loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, however his mother and grandmother insisted he play at least one game with it. After his abysmal efficiency that night, he had to change something up before dealing with the Portland Trail Blazers.
” I guess it was a coincidence that I went 2-for-18 and then cut my hair,” Tatum stated after the video game.
Maybe it was the haircut, or perhaps Tatum, 22 years of ages, just wasnt going to shoot that terribly for two video games in a row. However the Tatum who showed up to Sundays 128-124 win against Portland, the one who completed with 34 points, four rebounds and a career-high eight assists, was much closer to the All-Star hes progressed into in his third season.
Tatum shot 11-of-22 from the field and 5-of-8 from three-point variety, consisting of 21 points in the first half as Boston opened up a 19-point lead over Portland. When the Blazers clawed back from that deficit, even taking the lead late in the fourth quarter, it was Jaylen Browns shot-making that assisted the Celtics hold them off.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportThe Tatum/Brown duo could not be stopped today:
Tatums career high in helps on Sunday talks to the enhancements hes made to his video game over his first 3 seasons outside of being a pure scorer, which hes been considering that the day he entered the league. And he, Brown, Marcus Smart and Gordon Hayward have actually turned into a formidable protective system.
Tatums newfound playmaking has actually been crucial in helping him still contribute when his shots arent falling, as was the case on Friday. But that was not a problem versus the Blazers, when Tatum filled it up.
” It isnt simply about the ball entering,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. “He looked at it and stated, Theres a lot I can do to affect the video game. Hes such a talented offending gamer and hes got the vision to go along with it.”.
The Celtics have 6 games staying to determine their rotations for the playoffs and get Walker healthy. Coughing up the massive result in Portland on Sunday shows they still have some kinks to work out. Their future is bright.
,” Brown stated. “We have a young team, but we dont have time for young errors. Weve got a lot of growing up and a short quantity of time to do it in.
Sean Highkin covers the NBA for Bleacher Report and co-hosts the Bulls vs. Blazers podcast. He is currently based in Portland. His work has actually been honored by the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram and in the B/R App.
” Were young guys, but weve got a good quantity of playoff experience,” Tatum said. “Weve remained in some big video games, some big minutes. Were 2 incredibly confident guys that desire to make the right plays.”
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportBounce back, Tatum.
Celtics beat Blazers 128-124 https://t.co/Th5RZOGNXL
Jayson Tatum took the court on Sunday for the Boston Celtics with a various look from the curls he d cultivated because the groups arrival in Orlando. He had actually intended to cut his hair prior to the Celtics opening loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, however his mother and grandma insisted he play at least one game with it. Group president Danny Ainge invested years focusing on collecting draft picks to trade for superstars rumored to be available while the Celtics fielded surprisingly competitive teams.” Were young guys, however weve got a decent quantity of playoff experience,” Tatum stated. The Celtics have six games remaining to figure out their rotations for the playoffs and get Walker healthy.
Tatum: 34 PTS|8 AST|5-8 3 PT
Brown: 30 PTS|6 REB|6-8 3 PT
Bostons ceiling in the Disney restart is likely limited by Kemba Walkers remaining knee issues, which the Celtics are trying to manage before the playoffs start later on this month. Walker played just 22 minutes Sunday and beinged in crunch time as the Blazers installed a comeback. He finished with 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting in those restricted minutes.
Walkers health might prevent Boston from taking on the Bucks, Raptors and Heat in the East this year, but the leaps that Tatum and Brown have actually made in their fourth and third years, respectively, provide the Celtics amongst the brightest futures in the league.
Team president Danny Ainge invested years focusing on collecting draft picks to trade for superstars rumored to be readily available while the Celtics fielded remarkably competitive teams. Now, the organizational focus appears to be completely on developing stability with the present core. Now that theyre at that point, they will gain from the postseason experience these young gamers have actually already accumulated. The Celtics made the Eastern Conference Finals in Tatums rookie year, and the semifinals last season.
That was quite.
( through @celtics).
https://t.co/ljpgIPsJjy.
The two wings combined for 64 of Bostons 128 points in a game that served as a suggestion of how unsafe the Celtics can be– not only in the restart but in the years to come– with Brown, just 23, and Tatum as their linchpins.
