POST GAME WASHINGTON - AWAY

Celtics Wrap: Jayson Tatum Drops 51 On Wizards In Huge Win For Boston
Boston won 116-87 to get back to .500


NESN by Jenna Ciccotelli


The Boston Celtics are back on track.

Behind a huge afternoon from Jayson Tatum, the Celtics topped the Washington Wizards, 116-87, at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. Boston improved to 24-24 with the win, while the Wizards dropped to 23-24.

You can view the full box score here.

ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
It’s safe to say that Tatum found his way out of his shooting slump.

The forward, who missed six three-point shots in Boston’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers and was 0-for-17 through three games, came out firing Sunday. There was a marked difference in the opening minutes as he had 10 points to help Boston to an 18-10 lead, but he didn’t let up. Tatum entered the half with 31 points on 11-of-14 shooting with seven rebounds as the Celtics led 60-45.


Tatum kept it going in the second half, eventually finishing the night with 51 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. He was 9-of-14 from long range — certainly making up for lost time.


STARS OF THE GAME
— The Celtics hardly needed support behind Tatum, but Jaylen Brown logged 18 points and 10 boards.

— Marcus Smart, in his first game back after a six-game absence due to a thigh contusion, health and safety protocols and conditioning, finished with 11 points, six assists, four rebounds and four steals.

— For the Wizards, Bradley Beal was the leading scorer with 19 points.

WAGER WATCH
The Celtics entered as -140 favorites, so Boston bettors who wagered $140 ended the contest $100 richer.


More Betting: NFL Odds: Three Prop Bets To Consider Entering Sunday’s Division Slate
UP NEXT
The Celtics play again Tuesday, hosting the Sacramento Kings for a 7:30 p.m. ET tip-off.

112288

The "C" Word. Come on, guys and gal. You're going to have to warm up to it sometime!!

I'll even take the more contemporary, so I don't have to google it, "Consistentlyinconsistent"! You can google that one, but Webster's hasn't added it yet!!

Glad to see Jason was back for one game, doing what we know he can do and is capable of.

Don't worry. We'll have a chance to right the ship with Sacramento up next. (There is no sarcasm button on the internet yet!)

Lather.Rinse.Repeat, Herman's Hermits!

db

P.S. I'm going to put this game in the elite wins column, though, unless anyone wants to rebut. Looked pretty good to me. All the things we love to see were seen last night. Both teams had their full complement of player if I understood the homers last night. And again, Ime's not changing the Big 2 starters unless Brad does.

dBrown 4

Love your spirit, but it's one game!

I have been disappointed before by fools gold!

Do not use Sacramento 18-30 as a barometer to measure this team.

112288

Boy that was the best coaching job I ever saw from Udoka on Tatum. See what great coaching does? Thanks Ime

112288,

Don't mistake my enthusiasm for sarcasm or vice-versa. (Notice how cowens/oldschool is sarcastic and it comes right off the page!!) Not reading the next game wrong at all in that if I were a betting man, I'd push all-in for SAC and never work another day in my life!!

Agreed it is just one game and it will be followed by a completely baffling display in the next game or certainly within the next 3. That you can take to the bank!

In the meantime, I'll keep working on my printed page sarcastic delivery!

db

You can figure this one out in the blind.  Just tell me how we shot the 3 ball and I am ready to put my bet on the table.

The team minus Tatum shot 40% from deep (10/25)

I just looked at the 51 point highlight reel because I wanted to quantify the number of screens set up top by Robert Williams that led to a bucket by Tatum.  I counted 8 screens where it either freed Jayson up for a shot or opened the door by creating space for him to go downhill.  And I also saw 2 of Rob's 4 assists go to Jayson and Jayson found Rob with 2 alley oop passes for dunks.  It is too bad that setting screens is not captured as a primary stat.

Dumb ass Scalabrine did not mention those terrific screens one time. He is too busy trying to be witty.

It was great to see Marcus back and although he had a couple of brain fart turnovers, his impact, a team high +36,  was evident.  Rob was a  +32.

Interesting that they had more PITP, more fast break points, more steals, more blocks and fewer turnovers.  Accurate 3 point shooting (19-39) is the name of the game.

With respect to Ime, I saw no changes in anything Boston did.  The Celts hit their shots...end of story.  I will however mention that Romeo who had perhaps his best game as a Celtics a few days ago only played 8 minutes.  AND I still despise the 2 center lineup.  

I will take the win which puts us back at .500 or if you prefer, maintained our residency in purgatory.

Purgatory...I like that as a descriptor! Very good, dboss!!

I am noticing a chasm developing in the East after 6th place...ever widening. If we're going to make a move, now is the time. It's clearly now or never. Right up to 2/10. Otherwise, get ready for play-in madness followed by a sweep, losing in the play-in or missing the playoffs altogether. That's about it. Otherwise, just enjoy our on-again, off-again mesmerizing play and the contracts slowly ticking off daily until expiration and the residual flaming bag o' poo we would be left with wondering WTH went wrong!

db

dbrown4 wrote:Purgatory...I like that as a descriptor!  Very good, dboss!!

I am noticing a chasm developing in the East after 6th place...ever widening.  If we're going to make a move, now is the time.  It's clearly now or never.  Right up to 2/10.  Otherwise, get ready for play-in madness followed by a sweep, losing in the play-in or missing the playoffs altogether.  That's about it.  Otherwise, just enjoy our on-again, off-again mesmerizing play and the contracts slowly ticking off daily until expiration and the residual flaming bag o' poo we would be left with wondering WTH went wrong!  

db

db

I still think we are better than Charlotte and Cleveland. Plus with Ball injured for Chi-town expect them to come down hard. We can still make it out of the play-in with a consistent and disciplined approach. We would really need to rip off 10 in a row at least to have a chance to move up to the middle. That seems like an impossible task at this juncture.

I loved it, but doffing my green-colored glasses, The Whiz offered very little resistance. Let's see how the next one goes.

jrleftfoot,

I'll push all-in on a nailbiter.

db

cowens/oldschool wrote:Boy that was the best coaching job I ever saw from Udoka on Tatum. See what great coaching does? Thanks Ime

And boyyy did you see those 2 corner 3’s that Ime made with 2 players on him. He’s a badddd man!