The Boston Celtics are on a bit of a tear at the moment, they’ve won 8 consecutive games after a poor start to the season. This midseason turnaround, sparked by star Jayson Tatum, has seen the Celtics climb up to the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference. After a statement performance against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, the All-Star forward was understandably delighted with how things have been going.
While the Celtics’ struggles with the 3-ball remain unresolved to an extent, the team has been racking up wins courtesy of stellar defensive performances. Boston has limited opponents to under 100 points in all but two of their last 10 games, with one of them being the only loss in that spell, incidentally against the Hawks on January 28. Jayson Tatum believes the reason for this hot run of form is straightforward.
Jayson Tatum: “I think we’re just cooking.”
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) February 13, 2022
“I think we’re just cooking.”
Tatum himself has found a rich vein of form, recording a box plus-minus average score of just under +20 in the 8-game winning streak. His latest performance including 38 points and 10 rebounds was a display of both offensive skill and defensive tenacity with defining plays on both ends of the court.
Tatum needs just 17 points and 6 assists more to become only the 6th player in NBA history aged 23 or younger to notch 7000 points, 2000 rebounds, and 1000 assists – joining the elite company of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Tracy McGrady.
With two games remaining until the All-Star Weekend, Tatum and the Celtics will be keen on extending their winning run to 10 but will face strong opposition against Joel Embiid’s Sixers on Tuesday. Tatum, an All-Star starter due to KD’s injury, will get a taste of what it might take to go through a new look Philly team with Harden if they do end up in an enticing playoffs matchup against the Sixers.
