Joe Mazzulla Breaks Down Jayson Tatum’s Impact in Celtics Win
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The Boston Celtics secured an impressive 109-102 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, March 27. Atlanta came into the game having won 14 of its last 15 games, but was unable to overcome Joe Mazzulla’s roster. Even without Jaylen Brown, who missed the game with Achilles tendinitis in his left leg, Boston’s scoring power was too much for the Hawks to deal with.
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Both Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard left their mark in terms of scoring. Tatum ended the game with 26 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists, while Pritchard added 36 points, 7 rebounds and 4 dimes. Of course, Tatum’s production was a key area of focus for Celtics fans, as he continues to work his way into game shape following his recent return from an Achilles injury.
During his postgame news conference, Celtics’ head coach Joe Mazzulla broke down what he saw from Tatum and the impact he provided on both sides of the floor.
“I mean, I thought I saw his defensive rebounding,” Mazzulla said, via CLNS Media. “I thought that was the most important thing. I thought offensively, he got into the paint, was able to get to the free throw line, shot ten free throws, just continuing to chip away at giving the game what it needs. He was aggressive in his drive, missed some easy layups there, but as long as he stays aggressive, as long as he makes the right read, as long as he continues to rebound, he's continuing to get better and better.”
Tatum has played in 10 games since his March 6 return against the Dallas Mavericks. His shooting splits are still a work in progress. Even against the Hawks, Tatum struggled for efficiency, hitting 25% of his threes and 33.3% of his 24 shot attempts.
Still, each game is another opportunity for Tatum to take a step forward. His gravity is opening things up for others around him, and his rebounding has made a major impact on Boston’s ability to control both the defensive glass and the overall tempo of the game.
Boston’s win over the Hawks ensures it maintains its cushion over the New York Knicks for the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Furthermore, it ensures the team continues to build momentum heading into the postseason. Tatum’s return has been a welcome boost. The scary part is that he can get considerably better in the coming weeks.
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