Boston Celtics: Rookies Highlight Difficult Game Against Utah

Rookies will be the focus in a great game for the Boston Celtics against the Utah Jazz

It is not very often that you will see two playoff teams in a game, where rookies are the number one option on both sides. Leading the Boston Celtics and Utah Jazz Donovan Mitchell and Jayson Tatum are both going to finish in the top three in rookie of the year voting, with Ben Simmons the expected winner right now.

The most impressive part of Mitchell’s season has been that he is the number one option. Rookies are not suppose to be able to carry a team that many thought were going to fall apart, after losing franchise altering talent in Gordon Hayward.

Mitchell captivated the entire NBA, and brought some of the most offensive excitement in a year that had some of the best offense we have ever seen in this league. Mitchell is a special player, and he has been a problem for anyone that has tried to handle him.

Rudy Gobert might still be the best player, but that is because of his other wordy defense. The Celtics will spend a lot of time thinking about how they can neutralize the way Gobert can disrupt them, but all their defensive focus will be on Mitchell, and while Jaylen Brown will spend most of the time there, Jayson Tatum will probably be giving everyone the one on one matchup they all want.

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Tatum has also been doing things that rookies have no business doing, but it is very different from Mitchell. Tatum’s defense was immediately further ahead than people expected, but his offensive efficiency was unparalleled for a player his age.

He was leading the league shooting over 50 percent from three for a while. while maintaining better than 50 percent overall as well. Tatum came down to earth a bit when the volume increased, and he had his mini slump. The fact that he can go through that and still be shooting 47 percent overall and 42 percent from three, shows you how high of a standard he already maintains.

The biggest question with Tatum has always been whether or not he can handle the kind of load Mitchell is handling. Tatum was never the number one option, and even Brown was given more offensive responsibility.

Now that the injuries have piled up, Tatum is finally taking that role. With uncertainly around Marcus Morris‘ ankle. Tatum and Brown are the top two scoring options right now, and it is still undecided, especialy since Brown just returned from his injury.

Tatum has an opportunity to be the most prolific scorer on the team, and that is what everyone wants to see him do against Mitchell. Neither of these players have anything real to prove in this game, but it is set up for a special rookie battle.

Both of these guys have solid teams around them, and these injuries have probably made Mitchell’s situation better off than Tatum’s for the first time this season. Fortunately, the Celtics have been playing out of their minds despite these injuries, and have all the confidence they need heading into this one.

The Jazz’ defense could be what finally knocks these secondary Celtics plays down a notch, but if they can keep up the great ball movement, and the open shots continue to fall, the Jazz could be taking a brutal playoff blow in a game they have to take advantage of.

Tatum vs Mitchell is the most intriguing part of this game, but the playoff ramifications for the Jazz are the most important part. The Celtics are locked into their spot, but have not been playing that way.

Next: Does Fultz Change Playoff Outlook?

When you take into account the rookie battles, the change of Hayward and the situations, there should be a playoff atmosphere to this game, and fans could be in for one of the best games to close out the season.

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