The Boston Celtics appeared to be down and out instantly after their 110-107 Recreation 5 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. They managed to throw away a 14-point lead within the fourth quarter and home-court benefit in what rapidly grew to become a better of three sequence after the 2 sides cut up the primary 4 video games of the sequence. Could anticipated them to roll over and die in Recreation 6, with the sequence shifting again to the Fiserv Discussion board.
And simply when it seemed just like the Bucks had been gearing as much as make one other substantial fourth-quarter run to stun the Celtics final night time, Jayson Tatum stepped up and ensured that might not occur once more. As a substitute, Tatum stored Milwaukee at bay time and time once more with big baskets, most of which weren’t straightforward photographs, and ended up ending the ultimate body with 16 of his game-high 46 factors.
“That is why he will get paid the massive bucks,” Celtics guard Marcus Good stated. “That is it proper there. For moments like that. I used to be telling him the entire recreation, ‘Simply be you, man.’ He was. That is what he will get paid to do. That is what we lean on him to do.” Marcus Good, ESPN
Jayson Tatum turned in a famous person efficiency when the Boston Celtics wanted him essentially the most
For many of the Celtics/Bucks sequence, the main target has been on Giannis Antetokounmpo and his scoring exploits. However for the primary time final night time, somebody on Boston outdueled Giannis, and it simply occurred to be Tatum. Boston picked up their first two wins of the sequence on the again of collective crew efforts, however Recreation 6 was all about Tatum and Antetokounmpo, and Tatum was in a position to come out on prime this time round.
As soon as once more, the C’s constructed up a 14-point lead within the fourth, solely to observe Milwaukee rapidly reduce it right down to 4. However that is when Tatum stepped up. He scored 11 straight factors for Boston halfway via the fourth, and his shot food plan consisted of a ridiculous deep midrange fadeaway, a troublesome one-legged jumper that hit nothing however web, and a pair of contested threes that silenced a rowdy Bucks crowd. Heading into the fourth quarter, Tatum knew what was on the road:
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“Realizing that if we misplaced, our season could be over with. I used to be excited to play Recreation 6. This was a giant second for all of us – for myself and the crew – for the way we might reply.”
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics Twitter
It is secure to say that Tatum delivered. Antetokounmpo had 44 factors on the opposite finish, however it did not matter. Tatum answered with a ridiculous make each time the Bucks appeared set to tie or take the lead. It is the identical mindset the Celtics will want in a winner takes all Recreation 7 now.
The Boston Celtics’ resilience confirmed up once more in Recreation 6
The Celtics could be the most battle-tested crew nonetheless taking part in basketball proper now. At one level this season, they had been 18-21, they usually nonetheless ended up ending because the quantity 2 seed within the Jap Convention. And as soon as once more, their resilience got here to mild in Recreation 6 with their season on the road.
“We had the precise resolve,” Ime Udoka stated after Recreation 6. “We talked about it after that recreation. We let a possibility slip away however nonetheless had an opportunity to make it a greater story, I assume. We felt good going into it as a result of we performed so effectively for 3 and a half quarters. Everybody was pissed about that consequence, however we knew how effectively we performed all through the sequence and let some issues slip away. However by no means any doubt or hangovers from that recreation. We put it to mattress the following day and look ahead to getting again to the Backyard.” Ime Udoka, ESPN
Given the best way Boston misplaced Recreation 5, it was clear that Recreation 6 could be their greatest check of the season but. That they had to return to Milwaukee and stop the Bucks from advancing to the Jap Convention Finals in entrance of their dwelling crowd. They usually managed to just do that.
Through the 2021-22 NBA season, the Celtics have overcome many challenges to search out themselves heading right into a Recreation 7 battle with the Bucks. That resilience and battle have served them effectively so far. Tatum led the best way final night time, however he additionally bought a ton of assist from Jaylen Brown and Marcus Good, as each guys chipped in 20+ factors. On the opposite finish of the courtroom, the C’s ensured that no person else on the Bucks apart from Giannis was in a position to get into any offensive rhythm.
Generally that is what it takes to win video games within the playoffs, and it definitely labored for Boston in Recreation 6. They appeared to be on the ropes after Recreation 5, however they managed to pressure a Recreation 7, and in a sequence that has been filled with momentum shifts, the Celtics have all of the momentum as soon as once more as they head dwelling to the TD Backyard. If they will overcome yet one more roadblock offered by the Bucks, they may have a shot to earn a spot within the NBA Finals towards the Miami Warmth.
