Last night’s game between the Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers was a good one. Two teams sitting right around 30 wins so far on the season battling it out for 48 minutes. Both teams hit 15+ threes during the game, both shot over 46% from the field. Neither team wanted to give up the win in this one as the game came down to the wire. Jayson Tatum leads the Celtics against Dame Lillard and company. Not to mention Carmelo Anthony schooled a rookie in the process.
For the Celtics, who have been trying to get on track this season, they were led yet again by the duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The two combined for 56 points and 13 rebounds on the night. Tatum, still dealing with COVID implications, put up a 53 point career high last week. Since then he has followed that up with a 28-point game in a win against the Denver Nuggets and now 32 points against Portland. He looks like the player the Celtics need him to be. During the month of April so far he is averaging 29.4 points a game.
Jaylen Brown and Enes Kanter shared some words and a big hug before the game got going. Kanter is coming off a franchise-record 30 rebounds against the Detroit Pistons last week.
? Wholesome NBA content alert ? pic.twitter.com/XTDJOZt79l
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 14, 2021
Anthony had quite a game for the Blazers. The veteran finished the game coming off the bench and putting up 25 points on 10-15 shooting. His 28 minutes helped the Blazers keep it close. None of Melo’s points were as fun or exciting as those that came against Payton Pritchard. The rookie picked up Melo at the wing and didn’t have a chance.
Melo with moment-worthy moves ? pic.twitter.com/oA3WcJCUzA
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 14, 2021
The game got very serious in the final minutes. With just over a minute to go, CJ McCollum hit a three to put the Blazers ahead 112-111. Then, Tatum came in and did Tatum things. No one else was going to get the last shot for Boston other than their star player. With the smaller McCollum guarding him, Tatum pulled up after a side step and hit the three from the top of the arc. Calm. Cool. Collected.
TATUM. CLUTCH. ?? pic.twitter.com/qtoOv3xatr
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 14, 2021
Portland was able to make it a one-point game by the time the final buzzer sounded. It wouldn’t be enough as the Celtics win 116-115. With the playoffs on the horizon, the play of Tatum will remain vital for Boston moving forward. That’s obvious, but it really is the key. Keeping Kemba Walker active and involved in the offense is also a must.
Oh, and welcome to the NBA Payton Pritchard, courtesy of Melo.
