Jayson Tatum's 41 Points, Balanced Scoring, Propels Celtics Past Nets
The final 12 minutes weren't as smooth as the first 36 for the Celtics, but 41 points from Jayson Tatum and each starter registering at least 14 propelled the visitors to a 118-110 win at Barclays Center.
Tatum was a force from all three levels. The five-time All-Star went 14/26 from the field, including making a game-high five threes on 11 attempts. He also went 8/8 at the free-throw line, taking and converting on the most in the matchup.
The three-time All-NBA selection paired that production with 14 rebounds. No one else reached double digits in that category. It's his 11th consecutive contest with at least 20 points and seven boards.
In a stat-sheet-stuffing performance, he also dished out five assists, had two steals, and a block.
Jaylen Brown finished with 19 points and four of his team's 31 assists. The Marietta, Georgia native was at the center of Boston's closeout effort.
Al Horford, starting for Kristaps Porzingis, out due to a lower back contusion, was excellent in Tuesday's tilt, generating 16 points on 6/6 shooting, ripping down six rebounds, and distributing four assists.
Jrue Holiday contributed 14 points, a game and season-high 12 assists, five rebounds, and two steals. Utilizing him as a short roller after screening for Tatum routinely gave Brooklyn fits and created quality looks for the visitors.
His backcourt mate, Derrick White, chipped in 16 points, including eight in the final frame to help seal the victory.
Now for a deep dive into what stood out as the Celtics improved to 42-12 in their second-to-last game before the All-Star break.
Pace and post-ups were at a premium for the Celtics in the opening frame on Tuesday night at Barclays Center.
They produced 20 points in the paint, generating at least 18 from there for the fourth straight game. From Jaylen Brown to Al Horford and Jrue Holiday, the team manufacturing the most points in the post per contest (9.5) repeatedly went to work down low.
Keeping the Nets off the glass and not giving up a single offensive rebound also contributed to that by allowing the visitors to maintain an up-tempo approach that yielded an 8-0 run featuring multiple Jayson Tatum jams.
The five-time All-Star erupted for 16 points on 6/9 shooting in the first quarter, including burying three threes in a row, earning MVP chants from Celtics fans at Barclays Center as he stepped to the free-throw line after getting fouled following his third straight make from beyond the arc.
After taking a 36-30 edge into the second period, Boston had a very impressive close to the first half, staging a late 11-0 run, including five-straight points by Holiday and Tatum producing four points off turnovers in a frame where his team built a 7-0 advantage in that category.
That burst gave the visitors their largest lead before the break, pulling ahead 72-52. They entered intermission on top 72-57.
Tatum, who put 15 points on the board as an encore to scoring 16 in the opening 12 minutes, giving him 31 through two quarters, tied his career for a first half and paced all participants.
At the other end of the floor, the Celtics held the hosts to 36.8 percent shooting, forced four giveaways, and limited Brooklyn to three offensive rebounds in the second frame. That helped fuel their success on offense, including the 32 points in the paint they produced by halftime.
Between Tatum punishing the Nets as a facilitator for blitzing him out of the pick-and-roll, the three-time All-NBA selection having words for Jalen Wilson before burying a three from 29 feet on the left wing, and a breakaway flush for the former Duke Blue Devil, Boston extended its lead to 93-70.
Utilizing Holiday as a short roller after screening for Tatum also continued giving Brooklyn fits.
But with the hosts outscoring their guests 6-1 to close the period as the two teams traded trips to the free-throw line, the former only trailed by 16, 98-82, entering the final frame.
The Nets capitalized on staying within striking distance, staging an 11-1 run, pulling within six, 99-93.
But between beautiful ball movement, starting with a skip pass from Brown to Horford at the opposite wing, followed by the latter swinging the rock to Derrick White, gave Boston a bit more breathing room.
It also preceded a 7-0 run that included Tatum picking up a point at the free-throw line after a Nic Claxton technical.
The visitors' perimeter defense slipped, resulting in multiple clean looks from beyond the arc that Brooklyn converted on. But another three by White and a bucket at the basket by Tatum gave them an eight-point cushion with 1:48 remaining.
Whether it was bullying his way to the rim, driving-and-kicking to White for a three, or giving the ball up, then staying active, getting it back, and burying a fadeaway jump shot off the dribble, Brown's fourth-quarter performance was at the center of the Celtics closing out Tuesday's win.
After their 118-110 win at Barclays Center, they'll host the Nets at TD Garden on Wednesday night in the last game before the All-Star break. That matchup will tip off at 7:30 EST.
Further Reading
Jaylen Brown on Altercation with Duncan Robinson: 'I Bet You He Won't Do It Again'
Brad Stevens Discusses Celtics' Plan for Final Roster Spot
Brad Stevens Sheds Light on Celtics' Motivations for Xavier Tillman Trade
Celtics Swing Savvy Deal with 76ers for Jaden Springer
Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans
Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'
Fixated on Winning, Jayson Tatum Again Proves He's Not 'Bored Making the Right Play Over and Over'
Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'
Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'
Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'
