Eight. Like the number of 3-pointers scored by the Pacers against the Celtics in 42 attempts. Eight as the number of 3-pointers scored by the only Jayson Tatum in this same meeting! With his 38 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists, the All-Star winger flew over this meeting against Indiana, and he and Jaylen Brown signed their best joint performance of the season with 69 points combined. It is they, in the last quarter, who make the difference to push back the Pacers.
“With Joe (Mazzulla), we watched a lot of videos together” explains Tatum. “It’s about finding ways to be aggressive, to play in spaces, to create play…”
Facing often smaller defenders like Buddy Hield, Tatum attacked the rim. And when Myles Turner came out on him, he punished him with 3-pointers on a “step back” or on the drive. A real headache for the Pacers defense.
A potential MVP
“We did a very good job in the 4th quarter, with stops, rhythm, and of course looking for favorable matchups. They were deprived of two of their best defenders” recalls Tatum. “I made my shots, but I didn't try to carry my team on my shoulders. I played for myself and others. »
This is his 3rd game in a row with 30 points or more, and it is the 7th time, in these last eight matches, that he has reached this 30 point mark. And yet, there is little talk about him for the MVP trophy while the Celtics took the break at the top of the NBA…
“I might not win MVP, but I'm just trying to make sure we remain the best team in the league and do my part.” he replies. “If people recognize it and see it, that’s good, but if they don’t see it, that’s okay. »
| Jayson Tatum | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | BOS | 80 | 31 | 47.5 | 43.4 | 82.6 | 0.6 | 4.4 | 5.0 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 13.9 |
| 2018-19 | BOS | 79 | 31 | 45.0 | 37.3 | 85.5 | 0.9 | 5.2 | 6.0 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 15.7 |
| 2019-20 | BOS | 66 | 34 | 45.0 | 40.3 | 81.2 | 1.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 0.9 | 23.4 |
| 2020-21 | BOS | 64 | 36 | 45.9 | 38.6 | 86.8 | 0.8 | 6.6 | 7.4 | 4.3 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 26.4 |
| 2021-22 | BOS | 76 | 36 | 45.3 | 35.3 | 85.3 | 1.1 | 6.9 | 8.0 | 4.4 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 26.9 |
| 2022-23 | BOS | 74 | 37 | 46.6 | 35.0 | 85.4 | 1.1 | 7.7 | 8.8 | 4.6 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 30.1 |
| 2023-24 | BOS | 32 | 36 | 47.4 | 35.5 | 81.3 | 1.0 | 7.6 | 8.5 | 4.5 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 27.1 |
| Total | 471 | 34 | 46.0 | 37.3 | 84.4 | 0.9 | 6.2 | 7.1 | 3.4 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 22.8 | |
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.
