Celtics Host Sixers: Highlights, Score and recap from NBA Opening Night Win

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 16: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics dunks the ball against Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers on October 16, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Boston Celtics forward /

Jayson Tatum:

Jayson Tatum shoveled a whole heap of coal into the bowels of the Hype Train and sent it full steam ahead. The sophomore sensation scored a game-high 23 points on 17 shots. Tatum looked confident, and in control for most of the game; he took advantage of available opportunities and the team relied on him to create something-out-of-nothing on broken plays like this one.

"It ain't right." https://t.co/ilTzcYjyOn
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 17, 2018

Tatum took advantage of the right matchups offensively, isolating Embiid and Saric consistently to create good looks. The Sixers switched most screens all night, and the Celtics were strategic in screening to create the right one-on-one scoring opportunities. If the Sixers were going to switch, the Celtics were going hunt mismatches.

Tatum looked every bit like the future superstar many have touted him to be; he shot and drove the ball with extreme confidence, but also did nothing to quiet critics of his playmaking and vision abilities, often failing to notice teammates in better positions ahead of him.

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