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Duke basketball product cooks LeBron James in crunch time

Once again, Jayson Tatum proved worthy of his standing as an MVP candidate.
Matt Giles|
Duke basketball product cooks LeBron James in crunch time
Duke basketball product cooks LeBron James in crunch time

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Duke Blue Devils

Jayson Tatum boasts the top spot on NBA.com's Kia MVP Ladder. And judging by the former Duke basketball star's performance to lead the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics (22-7) to a 122-118 overtime road win over the Los Angeles Lakers (11-16) on Tuesday night, he has no intention of falling from that position anytime soon.

RELATED: List of every Blue Devil currently in the NBA

The 24-year-old all-purpose forward finished with a game-high 44 points, marking just his second-highest scoring total this season, to go along with nine rebounds and six assists while shooting 15-for-29 from the field, 5-for-10 beyond the arc, and 9-for-10 from the foul line.

Moreover, Jayson Tatum was at his best when Boston's survival in the contest was on the line.

Despite their six-point lead after three quarters, the Celtics faced a 106-93 deficit with only four minutes to play in the fourth. Tatum then accounted for seven points and four rebounds the rest of the way in regulation.

Two of those points tied the game at 110-110 with 16 seconds remaining. That score resulted from the NBA Blue Devil's signature shake-and-bake moves and oh-so-crisp baseline fadeaway with Lakers legend LeBron James as the on-ball defender:

James then bricked a 3-point attempt at the buzzer.

In overtime, the Celtics outscored the Lakers 12-8 to leave the Crypto.com Arena with a W, snapping their first two-game losing streak since October.

Tatum's season averages reflect his status as the early MVP favorite: 30.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game.

Boston's next two outings are against the visiting Orlando Magic, featuring 2021-22 Duke basketball sensation and No. 1 overall draft pick Paolo Banchero, at 7:30 p.m. ET Friday and 3 p.m. ET Sunday.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country for daily Duke basketball content.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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