Boston Celtics: 1 stud and 1 dud from C’s blowout win against Nuggets
By Mark Nilon
![DENVER, CO - MARCH 20: Austin Rivers #25 of the Denver Nuggets defends Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics at Ball Arena on March 20, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. 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. (Photo by Ethan Mito/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images) DENVER, CO - MARCH 20: Austin Rivers #25 of the Denver Nuggets defends Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics at Ball Arena on March 20, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. 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. (Photo by Ethan Mito/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/3f961e802ab3463dfe53f732b03bace5d0d3c268747df50b428e0ec316e13a55.jpg)
Boston Celtics stud(s): Jayson Tatum & Jaylen Brown
For those of you who are familiar with our ‘studs and duds’ pieces, you’re likely aware of the fact that we always strive to choose players outside of the Jays (the obvious two choices in virtually every contest) for this specific category.
Having said that, both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown played so superbly against Denver that, not only could we not end up choosing one of them for “stud of the game”, but we genuinely couldn’t decide which of them deserved the moniker more.
Because of this, we find ourselves cheating a bit by listing both of them on this slide, and, quite frankly, we’re not sorry about it.
Each one of the star wings has been on an absolute tear since the All-Star break, and Sunday’s performance was just another strong example of why they are considered to be two of the best players 25-years-old or younger in this league.
Both Tatum and Brown individually put up a 30-burger on 60+ percent shooting from the floor and 50+ percent shooting from deep while also combining for seven assists (granted, all from Tatum), 12 boards, and two steals.
On top of all this, each star finished with a 22 and 27 plus-minus rating, respectively, and thunderous dunks that, come season’s end, will indefinitely be thrown into any 2021-22 highlight mixtape.
Just like how this midseason turnaround wouldn’t have been able to happen without them, this blowout over Denver wouldn’t have seemed as effortless without Tatum and Brown playing the way they did.
Both are deserving of this game’s “stud” label.