Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
The following tweet perfectly summed up not just last night’s Celtics game, but their entire season.
Some people ride rollercoasters, some people watch Celtics games i guess
— JJ ☘️ (@JJ_Boston_) April 10, 2021
Boston’s win over Minnesota saw the Celtics trail by 17, lead by 11 late in the fourth, blow that, get forced to overtime, and then win comfortably by 9 points. All of that against the team with the worst record in the NBA. Roller coaster.
But fortunately, the Celtics have Jayson Tatum on their side, and Tatum contributed a new career-high to the cause.
“Scoring 50 is a big thing in this league, and especially at this age,” Tatum said. “It’ll be a night I always remember. First 50-point game and we got the win on top of that. Big win. Every win right now is big.”
Tatum carried the Celtics to victory as they took care of the Timberwolves in the extra period. Tatum’s career night helped boost his teammates, who delivered down the stretch of the win.
The efficiency stuck out for Tatum as a major point. He was 16-of-25 from the field, including a 6-for-10 showing from 3-point range. The All-Star did just about everything, including adding 10 rebounds and four assists.
Maybe most important to Tatum’s big night: He took 16 trips to the free-throw line and made 15. Tatum frequently scores 25-plus without free throws, so when he gets to the free-throw line consistently, he tends to have a big night.
“Tatum was super special tonight,” Brad Stevens said. “That’s coming off a heavy minute night the night before. Don’t mistake his quiet demeanor for not being a competitor. He is a competitor.”
Boston.com: 5 takeaways as Jayson Tatum’s 53-point game leads Celtics over Timberwolves in OT
“He just wouldn’t let us lose,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said of Tatum. “When we were coming back in the third, you could see he had it. The guys did a good job finding him. Don’t mistake his quiet demeanor for [not] being a competitor. He is a competitor.”
50-point games in Celtics history:
4 Larry Bird (including 60pt game)
2 Sam Jones, Isaiah Thomas
1 JAYSON TATUM, Ray Allen, Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, Kevin McHale, Paul Pierce
— Colin (@CM1661) April 10, 2021
Tatum is clearly the Celtics’ best player, but because the team has been up and down this season, he was criticized this week by certain sports talkers. You know, the people who will say anything for attention. One of the critics actually tweeted, “It is obvious that Tatum does not want to here.”
I don’t know what he based that on, but it seems like a pretty bad take after last night. Here’s a better take.
https://twitter.com/auscelticsfan/status/1380705985384214531?s=20
Tatum has his faults, no question. He relies too much on isolations and squeezing off sidestep threes (although he’s damn good at scoring off those moves). He’s too demonstrative toward the officials; last night he got T’d up for slamming the ball down after a foul call (although he also lived at the line, unusual for him). But Tatum’s talent is off the charts, and last night was proof.
For what it’s worth, Paul Pierce’s career high was an even 50, accomplished against LeBron and the Cavs, also an OT game. But the Celtics lost that night. Deuce’s Dad has already one-upped the Truth.
Related – NBC Sports Boston: Jayson Tatum’s sky-high ceiling on display in monster outing | Stevens compares Tatum to Thomas after 53-point outing
On Page 2: 5 thoughts about the game
They finally got there
At 27-26, the Celtics are over .500 for the first time since March 16
— Mark Murphy (@Murf56) April 10, 2021
That was a crucial win for the Celtics, to finish out the home stand with a winning record (4-3). A loss would’ve hurt the Cs because they now begin a three-game Western trip to Denver, Portland and the Lakers. If they can win two of those, it will be a successful week.
Averting disaster
The Celtics don’t do anything the easy way. Once again, they allowed a lottery team to push them around and lead big (39-25) after one quarter. Boston finally made it a game late in the third, then held an 11-point lead with under three minutes to play.
However, no lead is safe in today’s NBA, and even a team that’s now 13-40 has talented players who can catch fire at any time. The Celtics relaxed a bit, were thinking about Tatum approaching 50, and managed to miss 5 of their last 6 shots while the T-Wolves made 5 of their last 6.
Boston atoned in the OT, shooting 5 of 8 with 3 threes plus 8 of 9 at the FT line. Kemba Walker (game-high 9 assists but cold most of the night) drilled two clutch triples. The Cs escaped what would’ve been the worst loss of the year. Can’t even argue with this passive-aggressive tweet.
Celtics put the league on notice tonight. If they shoot 54/45/94, and Tatum scores 53, and they get 34 free throws, they can, on any given night, beat the Timberwolves in OT at home.
— Ken Tremendous (@KenTremendous) April 10, 2021
Smart and Brown
Marcus Smart today:
24 pts
5 reb
8 ast
7-12 fg
4-8 3pt
Underrated and overhated😤 pic.twitter.com/NVR4wsNesm— Arrow Nesmith🏹🎄 (@Nesmith_WRLD) April 10, 2021
(Actually, 6 rebounds, but close enough.)
Another recent target of criticism, mostly for his shot selection, Smart has come on lately and had a great game against the T-Wolves. The third quarter was Smart’s best: 11 points, perfect shooting, several standout defensive plays, and he even guarded 6-foot-11 beast Karl-Anthony Towns successfully (just 4 points in the quarter). KAT also drew a technical for elbowing Marcus in the head.
Jaylen got it done too.
Jaylen Brown: A 26 point, 9-15 shooting, 5 rebound, 3 assist night is going to fly under the radar because of Tatum’s career high. However it was pretty cool for him to drop that late-game dunk for him realizing Tatum was on his way to 50. Those little things mean a lot to teammates.
Boston Sports Journal: BSJ Game Report: Celtics 145, Timberwolves 136 (OT) – Not the plan, but a win is a win
Jaylen was a helluva wingman to Jayson last night. He capped off the game with 7 points and an assist in the OT. The “drop that late-game dunk” referred to JB going in alone for an easy two, but stopping and dishing it to his partner for points 47 and 48.
Refs (eye roll)
They simply cannot stay out of the way. Brad Stevens challenged a foul on a Minnesota layup. The call was upheld because, as the ref explained, Kemba’s arm brushed the shooter’s hair.
Touching the hair is a foul?
— Evan Fournier (@EvanFourmizz) April 10, 2021
Technical fouls became an issue, too. As noted above, JT was hit with a tech, and Kemba also got a T for yelling after he was called for a foul. But when KAT screamed directly at the refs? Crickets.
So KAT can scream in two officials faces and no tech given, but Kemba does and gets T'd up. Smh. These refs man. Smh.
— Jason M.🖖🏾 (@JasonM_617) April 10, 2021
Good stats, bad stats
The Celtics registered 32 assists on 47 made baskets. They shot 54% from the floor and made 19 of 42 threes (45.2%). And they were 32 of 34 from the free throw line.
Boston committed 21 turnovers that cost them 24 Minnesota points. They’ve given away the ball 58 times in the last three games.
Related – Boston Sports Journal: Karalis: Celtics’ progress is frustrating and slow, but it’s still progress
ESPN: Jayson Tatum scores 53 points, drags Boston Celtics past Minnesota Timberwolves in OT
And, finally… The COVID impact
Every day, the Celtics add to their league lead in player-days lost to the pandemic.
This means that Fournier will be out at Denver, at Portland and at the Lakers.
Earliest return would be on 4/17 against the Warriors when the Celtics are back in Boston. https://t.co/jrXthHGRep
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) April 9, 2021
The effect that COVID has had on this season is undeniable. More than half the roster has missed time because of the health and safety protocols, and several players have contracted the disease. Fortunately, everyone has recovered enough to play basketball again – except Fournier, at the moment.
Fans should take this into account when judging this team, but they don’t seem to – and I’m guilty of that too. Maybe we should take a cue from Handsome Jake.
They have been completely unable to get anything going because they are in and out of quarantine. Some of them actually even had Covid.
Why would I get mad at them for struggling when I myself can barely get through my job? Lol
— Tribune of the Plebs (@Handsome_Jake_) April 10, 2021
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