Chowder and Champions
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Boston Celtics: 4 takeaways from heart pounding Game 3 thriller

By Dylan Woods

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 5: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics hugs Al Horford #42 after Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2018 NBA Playoff against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on May 5, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 101-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 5: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics hugs Al Horford #42 after Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2018 NBA Playoff against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on May 5, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 101-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Jayson Tatum is not your typical rookie

Speaking of coming up big down the stretch, the Boston Celtics also could not have won this game without the clutch performance of Jayson Tatum. At just 20 years old, he put the team on his back in overtime to keep it close.

Sure, he missed a few free throws that would have been nice to have. But the back-to-back finishes over Embiid were something special. The absence of hesitation in the fourth quarter and overtime is something you only hope a superstar has, nevermind a 20-year old rookie.

Ben Simmons might be the Rookie of the Year, but he doesn’t have what Tatum has in terms of poise, of calmness under pressure. It’s no coincidence that Simmons turned the ball over while Tatum was responsible for bringing his team back. Simmons missed a wide open dunk while Tatum dug deep to find holes in the defense. Simmons had one point in Game 2 and crumbled on the road, Tatum stepped up and went for 24.

The trade on June 17 will go down as one of the best days in Boston Celtics history.

Jayson Tatum is the real deal, hop on the bandwagon before it’s too late.

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