During the Celtics’ 114-94 win over the Heat in Game 1 of their first-round playoffs matchup, Caleb Martin committed a harsh foul on Jayson Tatum as Tatum went up for a rebound. Celtics broadcaster and former champion Brian Scalabrine declared that he thinks the foul was set up to intentionally injure Tatum.
“Erik Spoelstra called a timeout with a 1:30 left down by 16, 30 seconds later that play happens… That looked shady to me.”
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The foul could have ended badly for Tatum, as Martin hip-checks the Celtics forward as he’s going up for the rebound. It’s unlikely that Erik Spoelstra told Martin to hurt Tatum as an instruction, but that looked like an intentional hit on Tatum.
This is what playoff basketball is all about, so Tatum knows he has to embrace these challenges and find a way to move on.
“I understand it’s playoff basketball. It’s a physical game, they’re such a good team, s**t going to happen. It’s not the last time I’m probably going to get hit like that or fouled in this series. I wasn’t hurt…”
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Tatum marked the first triple-double of his NBA Playoffs career with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. His offense was not fluid and he was just a +3 in a 20-point win. Nonetheless, he had a solid game and led his team to a comfortable win.
The short-handed Heat were led by Bam Adebayo, who scored 24 points and is serving as the team’s de facto No. 1 option in Butler’s absence.
Joe Mazzulla Wanted To See Jayson Tatum’s Toughness
The foul by Martin on Tatum has been one of the biggest talking points about the game, with the Heat’s reputation as a tough team coming true in the postseason with their increased physicality. The Celtics need to overcome this test, no matter how hard it gets, to build the solidity they need for a playoff run.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla was closely observing the developing situation after Tatum was fouled, just to see how his superstar would respond.
“I was waiting to see what he was gonna do. I was kind of excited about the whole situation… I enjoyed watching it.”
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With an easy win in Game 1, many are expecting the Celtics to easily clinch this series, possibly pulling off a sweep over the franchise that eliminated them in the Conference Finals last season. Jimmy Butler not playing virtually ended the Heat’s chances before the series even began, but hopefully, Miami can steal at least one game.
The Celtics have looked virtually unbeatable this season and it is time for them to maximize the remaining for the season by dominating their way to the NBA Finals, where they’d be hopeful of winning the championship finally as well.
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