Celtics Review - Game 33

The game may have started off with another rough start, but it quickly turned around into one of our better victories in recent memory. Everyone was just playing well together as a team and it translated into a clean win. The Bulls were playing pretty good defense, too, we just managed to find ways around their defensive schemes. Even with Kemba out, everyone seemed to thrive, as if it was a constant game of next man up. If Jaylen was out of the game, Tatum was scoring. If he was out, then it was Hayward’s turn. Then if he was out, we just found other ways to get the ball in the hoop.

I know Tatum had an insane bounce back game, but I’m going to talk about that later. Last game against the Hawks was one where people could make the argument that Brown is better than Tatum this year. In this game, Tatum played amazing, and it’s a great time for Tatum lovers to fight back on the debate that Tatum is having a better season; but I still don’t agree. Tatum is the better player right now, that I will believe and support. Last night’s game showed his true value and how amazing he is, but Brown is still having the better season. I bring up percentages a lot, but perhaps a better way of stating it is a matter of consistency. The difference in consistency between the two is the reason why their percentages are so different from one anothers. Tatum went from a night where he shot under 20% from the field, to one where he shot 80% from the field. It seems almost like a trend where he has one bad night, then one good night. Rinse and repeat. However, although Brown “only” had 19 points last night, he still did so on super efficient shooting. I’m going to hopefully be coming out with an article confessing my love for Jaylen Brown’s season soon, so I’ll save the rest of my argument for that. Either way, both Jays are having spectacular seasons.

Then there’s Enes Kanter. This was one of the first games where we saw the Celtics just repeatedly go back to him in the post over and over and over again. He was just a machine down there, and there wasn’t much the Bulls could do about it. He finished the game with 17 points and 12 boards, and the only reason he didn’t get my Love of my Life Award is because of Tatum’s monster performance. For me, this was Kanter proving to me, Brad Stevens, and the city of Boston that a center can be a legitimate sixth man, and that he is that dude.

P.S. Little shoutout to Javonte Green for his monster dunk, too.

Ouch Award - Marcus Smart

I mean, strictly because of the box score I guess I’ll give this award to Smart. He shot 25% from the field, but if you watched the game he didn’t actually play bad at all. He only took 8 shots in the game, they just weren’t falling for him. He was really just key on the defensive end of the ball and with team playmaking, since he finished with 5 assists and a steal. I hate having to give out this award to a guy who’s value goes well beyond the box score, but since I pretty much have to give it out, I guess it falls onto Marcus. (Even though he still played well.)

Love of my Life Award - Jayson Tatum

You can’t have a better bounce back game than Tatum did last night. Not only did he lead the team in scoring with 28 points, but he did so while also shooting 12-15 (80%) from the field. Now that’s what I call a comeback. In the midst of his scoring frenzy last night, he also hit one of the craziest shots I’ve seen from a Celtic player all season. Kris Dunn was playing literal perfect defense on him, and as the shot clock was expiring, he still managed to step back well behind the three-point line and drain the shot with ease. It looked like a horrible and unnecessary shot when he put it up, but as soon as it fell the city of Boston must have erupted. Let this be a reminder for when his name comes up in trade talks. I’m on the keep Tatum wave this year and every year.