It was an upset for the ages on Friday night as the Boston Celtics took down the Brooklyn Nets in a potential series turning point 125-119.
On a night when James Harden goes for 41 points and Kevin Durant goes for 39, a Cs team without Jaylen Brown in the lineup–that also lost Robert Williams to an ankle sprain in the Game 3 shocker–isn’t supposed to beat Brooklyn.
There the Celtics were though, doing just that in an explosive effort from the franchise pillar, Jayson Tatum. A 50-burger is no small feat, but it means so much more when it comes in the official return of near-capacity crowds after the city of Boston was forced to watch most of the season on their home T.V.s.
The supporting staff rose to the occasion, perhaps also feeling the energy from thousands of passionate fans in a playoff environment for the first time in two years, with one notable exception.
Kemba Walker shot just 3-14, good for six points, and missed all seven of his attempts from beyond the arc. Other than that, the starters delivered in spades. In fact, even underwhelming 2019 rookies Romeo Langford and Grant Williams delivered with 38 positive minutes off the pine (+21 and +15 point differential, respectively).
With all of that said, Hardwood Houdini (and Boston Celtics fans everywhere) cannot afford these 3 Cs falling off in Game 4:
Boston Celtics SF/PF Jayson Tatum
You might be thinking: “How can you hold Jayson Tatum to the standard of scoring 50 points every night?”
Our answer: It’s the only way the Cs will live to see another round.
Remember, Kyrie Irving had an off-night in his postseason return to play in front of a fanbase he has disappointed in the past. If he progresses closer to his season average of 27 points per game, the Celtics lose the next time the other two members of the Big 3 go for 80.
That is, unless Tatum is able to be the best player on the floor as the waters get deeper in the series.