Jayson Tatum’s aggressive offense breathes life into Celtics as they tie up series vs. Heat

Jayson Tatum is a man of his word.

In Boston’s Game 3 loss in the Eastern Conference Finals, Tatum had a forgettable performance finishing with just 10 points and six turnovers. His poor play was a key reason the Celtics lost on their home floor and afterwards, Tatum vowed that he would bounce back in Game 4. 

“I’ve just got to play better,” Tatum said. “It’s as simple as that. This time of the season, everything on the line, I’ve just got to play better.”

This is not a really notable quote by any means. It’s almost a trope. A cliche that players essentially repeat over and over. But amazingly, Tatum made it prophetic.

Living up to his declaration, Tatum was better in Boston’s dominant Game 4 victory over Miami. Very much better to be exact.

Jayson Tatum has scored 20+ points in the 1st half in 3 of the 4 games in this series.

Over the last 25 years, the only other players with 3 20-point first halves in a single Conference Finals are James Harden and LeBron James. pic.twitter.com/bRR8fGZX0G

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 24, 2022

Tatum was just sensational right from the opening tip as he started the game like a man on a mission. The 24-year-old superstar forward went right at Miami’s vaunted defense, giving the business to Heat defensive stopper PJ Tucker and getting to the line seemingly at will.

At the end of the first quarter, Tatum had outscored the Heat as a team, 12 to 11. At the end of the first half, Tatum had more free-throw attempts (12) than the entire Heat team (11). And at the end of the game, Tatum had outscored Miami’s entire starting five combined (31 to 18).

Tatum finished the game with 31 points, eight rebounds and five assists. He shot 8-of-16 from field and got to the line 16 times, where he made 14 free-throws. IF there is one negative about his performance, Tatum did struggle with his three-point shot (1-for-7, 14.3 percent).

But Tatum didn’t need to be scoring from deep to make an impact. His relentless attacks and frequent trips to free-throw line had Miami’s defense out of sync. This opened up avenues to score for his teammates, who in turn, fed off Tatum’s aggressive play. 

“We just came back and redeemed ourselves,” Tatum told ESPN’s Lisa Salters postgame. “We knew this was a game we really needed to protect home-court. Following last game, we were just ready to play. Everybody was just ready to come back out here and play better.”

Jayson Tatum tonight:

31 PTS
8 REB
5 AST
2 BLK
14-16 FT
+37

He is now 4th all-time in 30/5/5 playoff games before turning 25. pic.twitter.com/bhNdZBvxwl

— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 24, 2022

It was truly a superstar performance by Tatum and now the Celtics are tied 2-2 with the Heat as the series shifts to Miami for Game 5.

But while the Heat may have homecourt in Game 5, Boston’s dominant win has given them control of the series.

The Celtics have the momentum. They have the confidence. They have the belief. 

And they have Tatum.

Celtics vs. Heat series schedule

Game 5 of this Eastern Conference Finals matchup will tip off on Wednesday, May 23 at 8:30 p.m. ET from the FTX Arena in Miami, Florida. ESPN will broadcast the game with ESPN’s Mike Breen, Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy on the call. 

Here is the full schedule for the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals. 

*If necessary

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