Tatum Carries Boston Celtics in a Tight Win Over Golden State Warriors, 105-100

It was all about Jayson Tatum in the decisive moments of the event at the newly built Chase Center. The third-year forward was there when his team needed him the most, scoring several crucial points in the end.

With 1:36 to go, Tatum dunked to give his team a 98-97 lead, and half a minute later, drilled a jumper to extend the advantage. Those were the most important buckets of the game for Brad Stevens’ crew, who is league’s best with 10 wins and just one loss. Furthermore, Tatum stole the ball from Eric Paschall right after that, and allowed his team to jump to a two-possession lead, following Kemba Walker’s two free throws.

“I told Jayson on the jump ball, I said ‘go for the steal'”, Marcus Smart told during the on-court interview. “he listened to me and he got it.”

Jayson Tatum with the steal & dunk down the stretch 😲#Celtics pic.twitter.com/lkfiJs9uqn

— NBA TV (@NBATV) November 16, 2019

Yet, the game had a different start.

Everything was just fine for the Warriors in the opening period, with D’Angelo Russell scoring 10 points. The hosts were shooting 12 for 22 from the field, while Boston made just 7 hits in 23 attempts. It was 32-23 for the home team at the end of the opening quarter, and many hoped to see one routine win, against a big rival.

But it didn’t go that way. The Celts responded to get this one with 29-19, mostly due to fantastic Tatum, who delivered 12 points in this part of the event, and also by stopping Russell, who didn’t score up until the midway of the third.

Tatum ignited Boston’s comeback with a couple of buckets in the moments when the guests were on the run. Halftime result was 52-51 for the boys from Massachusetts, who continued to play in the same manner during the third quarter. Although they couldn’t get away from the stubborn hosts, the Celtics did have a seven-point cushion that quickly disappeared in the final sequence.

Warriors scored five unanswered points at the opening of the fourth to tie the game at 76-all, and that is when all the drama started. From that moment on, the teams traded buckets, often with once side scoring twice in a row, provoking a similar response from the rivals.

“I thought our poise when we were down five with two and a half, three minutes to go was excellent,” Brad Stevens said.

However, the difference on the court was Tatum, and we might say that if it weren’t for him, the hosts would probably win this clash.

He ended the night with a game-high 24 points, 8 rebounds, and three steals. Jaylen Brown had 22 also with 8 boards, while Kemba Walker posted 20, shooting threes 3 for 12. Marcus Smart created all his 15 buckets from behind the arc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Eq0BwTAN7c

Among the hosts, Russell froze after the opening period. He would add just two more in the rest of the game, recording catastrophic 9 turnovers. Alec Burc had a team-high 20 buckets, off the bench, missing only one of his 12 attempts from the free throw. Paschall contributed with 16 points and 8 rebounds.

“We played our best defensive game of the year…It was the first night, all year, I thought we looked like we knew what we were doing defensively,” Steve Kerr told the media representatives.

Golden State was horrible from downtown, 5 for 28.

Kerr’s boys (2-11) are now heading on a four-game tour through the Western Conference, which kicks-off against the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. After that, the Warriors meet Grizzlies, Mavericks and Utah Jazz.

Celtics (10-1) have four more matches on their road-trip. This Sunday, they meet the Kings who suffered a close loss to Lakers tonight. Then Boston goes to Arizona, before facing the Clippers and the Nuggets. Really, a dreadful schedule.