USA Today via Reuters
Dec 25, 2020; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics power forward Jayson Tatum (0) dunks the ball during the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 25, 2020; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics power forward Jayson Tatum (0) dunks the ball during the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Celtics face off against the Brooklyn Nets in an Eastern Conference battle between the heavyweights. The Celtics are coming off of a Jayson Tatum game-winner against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. The Nets on the other hand had a very comfortable win against the Warriors.
With Kemba Walker out with an injury, the pressure is on the duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Tatum certainly stepped up in the last game with an amazing clutch three against the Bucks. He seems to be ready to do the same against the Nets.
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JAYSON TATUM. 🔥🔥
Kyrie gives him the pat of approval pic.twitter.com/eYVO1lDxKR
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 25, 2020
In the second quarter, with Kyrie guarding him, Tatum hit an astounding shot clock buzzer beater. He even had Kyrie’s seal of approval, who patted him on the back after the shot. Tatum has 12 points in the first half. The Celtics had a three-point lead against the Nets with a scoreline of 54-51 but eventually lost the game 95-123.
Can Tatum and Brown lead the Celtics in Kemba Walker’s Absence?
When the Boston Celtics brought in Kemba Walker last season, it seemed like they had their own big three with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kemba Walker and finally could become the best in the East.
With injuries to their new star, the Celtics could not go past Miami Heat despite the best efforts of Tatum and Brown. Walker is set to miss at least a month and a half of the current season after undergoing knee surgery.
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 18, 2020; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III (44) exchanges jerseys with Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) at the end of the game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
This has certainly upped the pressure of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to lead the side. The duo has already shown that they are up for it with a fabulous performance against the Bucks where Brown and Tatum scored 33 points and 30 points, respectively.
With a tough run of fixtures coming up against heavyweights like the Heat, Brad Stevens will hope that the duo can build on their performance against the Bucks. Players like Marcus Smart and Jeff Teague also have to step up if they want the Celtics to be a top team.
With teams like the Nets coming back to full fitness, and players like Walker injured for the team, the Celtics face a massive challenge to be the best in the East. Can they emerge as the best in the East?
