The MVP of the night | Jayson Tatum, “simple” and effective

That's what we call getting the job done. Against a very weakened Heat team without Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier, the Celtics generally showed great seriousness to win Game 1 without batting an eyelid on Sunday (114-94). Boston was notably able to count on an exemplary Jayson Tatum and author of the first triple-double of his career in the playoffs. The winger showed the way and was able to perfectly respond to the challenge proposed by the Miami defense.

Starting his playoffs with a 7/18 shooting game could have been a bad sign for Tatum and the C's. Rarely has the All-Star seemed so fair despite his clumsiness. Closely squeezed by the Florida defenders, Jayson Tatum barely forced himself, despite his 1/8 from distance. He even behaved like a manager in the first period (6 assists at halftime, to go with 15 points and 8 rebounds), focusing above all on making his partners shine rather than putting himself forward.

“ It was a magnificent match from him”said Kristaps Porzingis after the meeting. “Making all these assists, especially at the start of the match, he didn't force anything, and involved everyone. He deserves a lot of credit for what he did, and on our collective, because he made everyone feel like they were in his entry game. »

Tatum the facilitator

If the Celtics were able to return to the locker room with a 15-point lead, they owe it in large part to Tatum, while the Heat had returned to the level, following the rapid rotations of Joe Mazzulla and the exit of their leader after five minutes game. “ His mindset and approach throughout the match was excellent“, rejoiced the technician of the number one seed in the East. “ He played with remarkable patience, he chose and obtained his shooting positions very well. He took what the defense gave him, and he found the balance between creating for himself and creating for others. The fight for this discipline in attack and defense is a key to this series. »

With 23 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, Jayson Tatum is Boston's first three-dimensional player in the playoffs, since Marcus Smart in 2020. As a leader, he finished this match as his team's best scorer, rebounder, passer and interceptor. “ It was simple, you just had to do the right thing » summed up Tatum. “ We tell ourselves all the time that we shouldn't hesitate to do the right thing. Like reading the right mismatches and surrounding yourself with shooters. » Seven of his evening assists led to largely open 3-point shots, on the 22 winning shots achieved by the Celtics to bring down the Heat.

Even low blows didn't take him out of his match

Miami tried to resist physicality. The end of the match was marked by several harsh gestures from a screen by Bam Adebayo on Derrick White to the excessive charge by Caleb Martin on Jayson Tatum to fight for the offensive rebound. Having fallen heavily to the ground while tempers were heating up, Tatum chose not to get involved in the discussions and immediately returned to the game. You just have to understand that we are now playing playoff basketball. It's a physical game, it's a physical team, there's going to be some trouble. This probably won't be the last time I'll take a hit like that in this series. I knew we were in the bonus, so I just had to get up and make my free throws. »

A good way to stay focused and avoid unnecessary technical mistakes, or even suspension in the event of serious friction. This is also the right gesture.

How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.