Jayson Tatum scored 41 points with 7 rebounds and 5 assists to lead Boston Celtics in their 139-118 victory over Giannis’ Milwaukee Bucks. The two eastern conference leaders were anticipated to have a fierce Christmas battle but Celtic’s 6 ft 8 in small forward had different plans.
Celtics changed the nature of the matchup in the 3rd quarter when they outscored the Bucks, 38-25. They netted 139 points in the Christmas Day match recording the most points by any team on Christmas since 1983.
“It’s fun. It’s fun playing on national TV; it’s fun playing on Christmas,” Jayson Tatum said after netting 41. “And those matchups are fun. You get to play against the other best players, and it just raises your level of play.”
“The competition is exciting, but that’s the game that you live for. The moments, the matchups, if you can’t get up for those games, then you’re probably in the wrong profession.”
Jayson Tatum and Boston Celtics took Santa’s gift away from Giannis Antetokounmpo
The two teams met first time since their last year’s Eastern Conference semi-final series. The series turned into a ferocious seven-game competition where Boston took charge in Game 7 to advance towards Eastern Conference finals.
Boston Celtics’ centre was asked about 2020’s Most Valuable Player, he said, “That’s what you need with a guy like that,” Al Horford added, “Two-time MVP and just a great player, so we all were matched up with him at some point.”
“That’s one of the strengths of our group, that we have multiple guys that are capable and showed that tonight.”
The Eastern Conference defending champions were off to a bad start in December. Tatum addressed their situation, saying that the team understands there are going to be a few bad stretches but they would not let the bad one’s snowball they great runs.
“It’s definitely an honor. I’ve said many times how much I love being here and what it means to play on Christmas — sixth year in a row and something I never want to take for granted,” Tatum said after the game.
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