Ime Udoka, Celtics coach, said that Tatum told him to “be the best guy on court each night.” Tatum scored 54 points in the season’s first season to lead Boston to a 126-122 victory over the unexceptionally strong Nets. “He takes pride playing against high-level opponents.”
Durant was in his second game since January and scored 37 points for the Nets. He is now the 23rd player to score 25,000 NBA points. Irving was his fourth season-long guest, scoring 19 points in his first three weeks of the season and his first in Boston since being pelted with water bottles during last year’s playoffs.
Tatum stated, “Those matchups — where you’re playing two of the most talented guys in the league — those are the moments that you as a child looked forward to,” Tatum added. You make the most of those opportunities when they present themselves.
Jaylen Brown scored 21 points for the Celtics, while Tatum scored 34 points in halftime. After testing his ankle, Brown was allowed to return to Boston’s line-up. He hit a 3-pointer in under 40 seconds and gave Boston a lead of 121 to 115.
Durant missed a jumper his next time down, complaining that he had been fouled. Tatum was fouled on the next possession. As “MVP!” chants rang in the TD Garden he made one of two free throws, surpassing his season record of 51.
For the second-highest total in his career, he added two free throws in final seconds.
It was chaos. Marcus Smart had 14 points and nine assists. It was a great game, and it was worth five minutes of my time.”
The Celtics have won five out of six of their last six games and 21 of their 27 last games.
TAKEDOWNS AND TRIBUTES
Tatum was a Duke player who played one season before Tatum was drafted No. He was drafted 3rd overall in 2017 and said that he considered attending Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski’s last home game, which took place Saturday night. It was a 94-81 defeat to North Carolina.
It was difficult for the Celtics to start at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
“I wish I could have been there for the last game. Tatum said that it was an amazing run, 42 years and everything he has accomplished at Cameron” Indoor Stadium. Tatum spoke to a reporter who traveled to California with Brown, who also went along to Cal. “Definitely a better environment than Cal.”
UNHAPPY RETURNS
Boston fans booed Irving after he professed his love for the city. A fan threw water bottles at Irving after he left the court after a playoff win.
After that game, Irving kicked on the Celtics’ Leprechaun logo midcourt. Glen “Big Baby”, a former Celtics player, was sitting courtside with a T-shirt reading “Respect the Logo.”
Irving stated, “I know it will be like that for the rest of my professional career,” It’s like a scorned girlfriend, who still wants to hear from me but is still waiting for a reply text. It was fun while it lasted.
EARLY ON
Midway through the third, the Nets scored 11 consecutive points to open their largest lead of the game, 90-81. There was just over one minute remaining in the quarter. Boston scored eight consecutive points to reduce the deficit to one point. The Nets then took the lead with the first basket in the fourth.
In the middle of the fourth, the Celtics took a 108-100 advantage. With 3:29 left, they trailed by 1 point. They then ran off 13 of 17 points, the first six from Tatum as well as the last five from Brown.
Brown nodded toward Tatum, saying “Tonight this man was unstoppable.” “I believe that helps.”
TIP-INS
Nets: Irving missed seven consecutive games and was unable to play in the February 8 match against Boston in Brooklyn due to New York City’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Durant was absent for 21 consecutive games before he returned to the field on Thursday night.
Celtics: Nick Stauskas is the No. 8th overall pick in 2014 draft signed with Boston but didn’t play. He was a part of two Miami games this season, and 26 for Grand Rapids Gold in the G League. … Kelan Martin and forward Malik Fitts were signed to second 10-day contracts. Each of them has played in one Celtics game and didn’t make it to the bench Sunday.
UP NEXT
Nets: At Charlotte on Tuesday.
Celtics: At Charlotte on Wednesday.
