In the matchup of franchise cornerstone players, Jayson Tatum keeps winning against Joel Embiid.
Tatum led the Celtics with 23 points in Boston’s 105-87 opening night win over Embiid’s Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night at TD Garden. Two of those points came in the fourth quarter when Tatum crossed up Embiid and hit a midrange jumper that banked off the glass.
After making the shot, Tatum stared down Embiid and gave him a little wink. Check it out in the video below:
Come for Tatum vs. Embiid.
STAY FOR THE STARE-DOWN AND WINK 😉 pic.twitter.com/eRf55lETkH
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 17, 2018
Tatum and Embiid worked out a lot together over the summer, and both talked plenty of trash. Tatum reminded Embiid that Boston beat Philly 4-1 in last season’s Eastern Conference semifinals series.
The 76ers need to find a way to slow down Tatum or they will continue to struggle against the C’s. Tatum has scored 20-plus points in six straight games versus the Sixers, including the playoffs, and Boston is 8-2 in its last 10 games against Philly.