3 keys for the Boston Celtics tonight against the Nets
Overcome the absence of Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum has thrived since being named an NBA All-Star for the first time this season. In historical context, he has had one of the best seasons of all time for a player under 23 years old. His February stat-line was a sight to behold:
Jayson Tatum has been on a tear this February 🔥
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 26, 2020
∙ 30.3 PPG
∙ 7.2 RPG
∙ 50% FG
∙ 49.5% 3-pt FG pic.twitter.com/A5Ugy7I8Hg
After leading the Boston Celtics to a 9-3 February record, Tatum has fallen ill to begin the month of March. Granted, he did recently have a birthday, so perhaps his illness coincided with those festivities.
That said, whatever the case is, the Celtics will be without their best player as of late. Tatum has scored over 30 points his last four games…with 28 points the prior contest against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Replacing all of that production will not be easy, even against a middling Brooklyn Nets defense. Kemba Walker’s return from a several game absence due to knee soreness should help alleviate concerns, but it will still be an adjustment for the C’s without their 22-year-old phenom.