Jayson Tatum makes history in MVP performance vs. Bulls

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Jayson Tatum makes history in MVP performance vs. Bulls originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Saturday at United Center, the Boston Celtics exacted revenge on the Chicago Bulls behind a historic performance by Jayson Tatum.

The five-time All-Star erupted for 43 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists in the Celtics’ 123-98 bounce-back win. It marked his first triple-double of the campaign and the third of his career in the regular season.

He’s the first player in Celtics history to notch at least 40 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in a game. It was the first 40-point triple-double by a Celtic since Larry Bird. Tatum accomplished the feat while shooting a scorching 16-of-24 from the floor, including 9-of-15 from 3-point range.

James Harden is the only other player in NBA history to have 40 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists, and nine 3-pointers. He tallied 53 points, 16 rebounds, and 17 assists with nine 3s in 2016 with the Houston Rockets against the New York Knicks.

Tatum actually got off to a slow start with only three points in the opening quarter. But once he got going, there was nothing the Bulls could do to slow him down.

The 26-year-old caught fire with 13 points in the second quarter, 18 in the third, and nine in the fourth. He spoke to NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin after the game about finding his groove.

“It’s a long game. You try to find ways to pick your spots, pick your stretches, especially on a team that’s this good,” Tatum told Chin.

“We’ve got so many guys that offensively, it’s just about finding your moments to dominate the game. Joe (Mazzulla) always just tries to get me to dominate and amplify my teammates and make guys better in different ways.”

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla heaped praise on his superstar, who he believes still isn’t getting enough recognition for his greatness.

“I say this about him all the time because he’s been doing great things for such a long time. I still think he gets taken for granted,” Mazzulla said. “Because he’s done it for a long time, and because it comes relatively easy to him, and we’re in Boston, which is the expectation. But it was a big-time performance by…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/jayson-tatum-makes-history-mvp-041448010.html

Author : NBC Sports Boston

Publish date : 2024-12-22 04:14:00

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