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Boston Celtics: Tatum, Thompson fuel the energy in Game 3 victory

By Jason Haskins

BOSTON, MA - MAY 28: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts after a three-point shoot during Game Three of the Eastern Conference first round series against the Brooklyn Nets at TD Garden on May 28, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 28: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts after a three-point shoot during Game Three of the Eastern Conference first round series against the Brooklyn Nets at TD Garden on May 28, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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Time and time again, the Boston Celtics have turned to Jayson Tatum for much-needed buckets and victories.

On Friday night in Boston, Tatum delivered both.

The young superstar came up huge in Game 3, delivering 50 points as the Boston Celtics defeated the Brooklyn Nets 125-119.

There was plenty of help to go around, too, as the Celtics cut the Nets’ series lead to 2 games to 1. Each player for Boston that played contributed at one time or another throughout the victory. A maximum effort across the board was emitted and though some of it won’t show in the box score, each player should be applauded.

And it was Tatum who tops the list as the kudos are divvied up.

Boston Celtics and the Jayson Tatum show

Down 19-4 within the opening four minutes of the game, a bleakness settled in. Immediate thoughts of it’s going to be “one of those nights” churned in the heart.

Turns out it was, except it wasn’t in the way the early score indicated.

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It was a night that belonged to Tatum, yet another in his long list of individual accomplishments in his young career.

Tatum hit shots from the start, with a combination of jump shots and drives into the paint paving the way. He was more locked in than previous two games and only grew more-so as the game continued.

In the third quarter, Tatum took over, scoring 19 points. Boston consistently got him in the matchups desired, something desperately missing in Games 1 and 2. And when he couldn’t find a path to an open basket, he was finding open teammates who responded with big shots of their own.

In scoring 50 points, Tatum became the third-youngest player to do so in the playoffs, behind Rick Barry and Michael Jordan. Tatum did so by shooting 16-30 from the field and 13-15 from the free throw line. He also dished out seven assists and had six rebounds.

Tatum played like his all-star self on Friday but it was also the inspired play of Tristan Thompson and teammates that led Boston to victory.

Boston Celtics: Eater of offensive rebounds

From the get-go in Game 3, Thompson brought the exact energy and physicality the Celtics signed him for. A thorn in Boston’s side during his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Thompson exactly did that to Brooklyn.

Thompson had one of his finest games as a member of the Celtics, finishing with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Nine of those boards came on the offensive end and a couple of those put-backs were thunderous dunks from screen-and-roll action. (A very nice wrinkle where the big men who set the screens at the top of the key would screen facing the basket and then immediately dive down the lane.)

Thompson wasn’t the only big contributor. Marcus Smart continued to find ways to make huge shots in this playoff round, scoring 23 points on 8-11 shooting. While there was still the occasional mental lapse — stepping out of bounds on the sideline, again — Smart showed off his veteran leadership and defensive prowess.

Evan Fournier also found his stroke again, scoring 17 and knocking down timely three-pointers in the fourth quarter.

There were struggles from Kemba Walker shooting the ball, but his energy keeps this Boston team going at times. And he found other ways to contribute, pulling down eight rebounds.

Even the bench, though they only scored 10 points, found ways to affect the game.

Next. Boston Celtics: 2020-21 regular season grade. dark

One wonders if Boston emptied the tank for the Game 3 victory. The starters played a lot of minutes and Walker will need to find the scoring column if a Game 4 victory is in the cards. For now, it’s time to enjoy the play of Tatum. It may take more performances like this from him for the Celtics to pull off a series upset. If we’ve learned anything in Game 3, however, it’s not time to discount the Boston Celtics just yet.

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