Celtics Wrap: Jayson Tatum Back On Track, Leads Boston Past Cavaliers
Tatum broke out of his mini slump
BOSTON — After dropping two overtime games to the Cleveland Cavaliers already this season, the Boston Celtics didn’t let it get to that point Wednesday night, taking care of business with a 117-113 win over the Cavs at TD Garden.
The Celtics improved their record to 45-18 while the Cavaliers slipped to 39-26.
Check out the full box score here.
ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
Jayson Tatum hasn’t looked like his usual self since earning MVP honors at the league’s marquee exhibition event.
He missed at least 10 shots in three straight games and even received his first career ejection Monday in a loss to the New York Knicks. But the four-time All-Star put an end to his mini slump in a big way against the Cavaliers.
A one-handed, put-back slam dunk from Tatum early in the second quarter, which would make it on any player’s highlight reel, ignited his performance. He turned it up a notch in the third quarter, taking over the stanza by scoring in a variety of ways. He netted 18 points alone in the quarter as Boston outscored Cleveland, 41-26, in the frame.
Tatum even displayed some terrific passes to unlock his teammates and helped the Celtics, for the first time this season, easily dispatch the Cavaliers.
The Celtics sure look like a completely different team when their best player is clicking on all cylinders.
STARS OF THE GAME
— Tatum put together a stellar performance, flirting with a triple-double by netting a team-high 41 points on 13-for-21 shooting to go along with 11 rebounds and eight assists.
— Al Horford had one of his best showings on the campaign. He hit his first eight shots — six of which were 3-pointers to tie his career high — and finished with a season-high 23 points on 8-of-10 shooting. He also grabbed 11 rebounds.
— Donovan Mitchell was the catalyst for the Cavaliers. He scored a game-high 44 points on 17-of-32 shooting.
WAGER WATCH
DraftKings Sportsbook set Robert Williams’ point total over/under at 8.5 with +105 odds. He cleared that by the third quarter with his ability to finish around the basket as he scored 11 points. A $100 wager would have netted a total of $205.
UP NEXT
The Celtics play host Friday to the Brooklyn Nets, who look a lot different than the three times Boston has already played them this season. The Celtics look for the season-series sweep with tip off from TD Garden coming from 7:30 p.m. ET.
