Brian Scalabrine Says The Heat Tried Intentionally Injuring Jayson Tatum: “That Looked Shady To Me”

Formers Celtics' player Brian Scalabrine has accused Caleb Martin and the Miami Heat of trying to injure Jayson Tatum.

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Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

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.”

https://twitter.com/TheDunkCentral/status/1782141976843874437

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…”

https://twitter.com/NBCSCeltics/status/1782154935460573530

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.”

https://twitter.com/CelticsUnite18/status/1782135894079619342

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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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher ReportYahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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