Celtics overcome slow start to beat Nets behind 50-point game from Jayson Tatum

Author Alex Barth

May 28th, 2021 11:53 PM

With their backs up against the wall, facing a 2-0 deficit in the series, the Celtics played arguably their best game of the year Friday night at TD Garden. After falling into an early hole, the team rallied behind another stellar performance from Jayson Tatum to beat the Brooklyn Nets 125-119.

With a larger crowd in the building, and Kyrie Irving’s presence stirring things up, it felt like the Celtics might be reenergized with the series shifting back to Boston. However, that feeling dissipated quickly, with the Nets going up 19-4 in the first three and a half minutes.

While the Celtics couldn’t hold the energy from the beginning, it wouldn’t be gone for long. In fact, that Nets’ lead wouldn’t even make it to the end of the first quarter. The Celtics went on a 10-0 run over the final minutes of the half. Marcus Smart capped the run with a three point shot in the final seconds of the frame that put Boston up 33-32.

The Celtics went on to extend their lead in the second quarter. Leading the charge were Jayson Tatum and Tristan Thompson, who each had eight points in the frame. Tatum had a game-high 21 at the half, giving his team a 61-57 lead heading into the locker room.

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  On the other end of the floor, Irving was struggling in his return. Despite playing 19 minutes in the first half - the most for any Brooklyn player - he had just two points on one-of-five shooting. Instead it was Durant and Harden carrying the weight - they each had 17 to that point. 
  
  After the Celtics held a single-digit lead early in third quarter, the Nets went on a 13-3 run to retake the lead midway through the quarter. But from the six-minute mark on, the Celtics dominated the Nets 24-11. Tatum had 11 points in that short window, and Smart hit a pair of three pointers, one of which turned into a four point play. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Celtics were up 96-84, on a 21-9 run, and held all the momentum. 
  
  Throughout the fourth quarter, the Nets had a number of runs that looked like they’d result in the lead changing hands. Yet time and time again the Celtics were able to hold them off. Once again, Tatum hit the big shots when the team needed them most - he had 10 points in the fourth. Brooklyn got as close as three points in the final minute, but that was it.
  
  Tatum’s efforts resulted in his third 50-plus point game in as many weeks. This time he finished with exactly 50, shooting 16-of-30 from the field and 13-of-15 from the line. He also added seven assists and six rebounds.

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  The primary beneficiary of Tatum’s assists was Tristan Thompson. Thompson was forced to take on a bigger role when Robert Williams left the game early with an ankle injury - and he delivered with a 19-point, 13-rebound double-double. 
  
  Boston’s starting guards also showed up in a big way. Smart shot 8-of-11 from the field, and finished with 23 points. Evan Fournier proved valuable by carrying the scoring when Tatum was on the bench or being smothered defensively - he finished with 17.
  
  James Harden and Kevin Durant turned in another superstar-caliber performance for Brooklyn. Harden led the Nets with 41 points, Durant was right behind him with 39. Irving was noticeably absent - he finished with just 16 points on 6-of-17 shooting. 
  
  With the win, the Celtics now trail the Nets 2-1 in the best of seven. The series will stay in Boston for Game 4, which will be Sunday night at TD Garden. It will be the first Celtics home game after Massachusetts lifts its COVID restrictions, meaning a near-capacity crowd. Tip off is set for 7:00 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 6:30 on 98.5 The Sports Hub.

Click here for 98.5 The Sports Hub’s complete coverage of the Celtics.

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.

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Author Alex Barth

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Boston Celtics,Brooklyn Nets,celtics,Celtics Nets,Jayson Tatum,Kyrie Irving,NBA