Walking into a playoff game has to be one of the most exhilarating things in all of sports. The tension is palpable and the energy is electric, creating an atmosphere where players are motivated to play the best basketball possible to ensure their team makes it through to the next round.
The world is always watching playoff games, so the stage can’t possibly get bigger. The eyeballs that fall on the players can make them sink or swim, and it seems that Jayson Tatum is ready to swim to the NBA Finals, invoking the power of an NBA legend in his pre-game fit.
Jayson Tatum went off for 31 points in Boston Celtics’ dominant Game 4 win over the Miami Heat. He entered the arena channeling his inner Michael Jordan while wearing a t-shirt with a picture of Jordan celebrating the Chicago Bulls three-peat. Tatum scored 20 points in the first half as the Celtics dominated the game from start to finish.
Jayson Tatum pulled up in the MJ shirt 👀🐐 pic.twitter.com/qX3GoRkV54
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 23, 2022
Tatum’s contribution to the game was invaluable. He locked everyone he was supposed to defensively and then was keeping pace with the Miami scoring through the first half. Considering the mighty offensive struggles the Heat had to start the game, Tatum’s performance helped put the game out of Miami’s reach early.
Playoff season means players are thinking about how to have their own Jordan moments. MJ’s 6-0 in the NBA Finals is synonymous with greatness in the sport, and Tatum looks to make his first Finals appearance this season after plenty of failures in the Conference Finals before.
If Boston can keep the same standard of play from Game 4 into Game 5, they are bound to take the series lead on Miami’s home court. They are in an incredible defensive and offensive rhythm and could possibly sustain it all the way to an NBA title.
