Superstar believes the Celtics’ rebounding helped them win over the Knicks.

 

 

The Boston Celtics won their third consecutive game, defeating the New York Knicks for the second time in the young season, 114-98. It was Boston’s second game in a row they held their opposition under 100 points, and their second time doing so this season.

The Celtics’ strength on both sides was highlighted by a stellar performance from their offensive trio. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis combined for 78 points. Tatum and Brown added another highlight together, and they were having pretty similar dominant games until the fourth quarter. Tatum had 17 in the final period to give himself 35, hitting four triples.

Porzingis also had a big 21 points on 7-11 from the field and 3-6 from three, with his defensive versatility playing a big role on the glass with Mitchell Robinson and other switches. The Knicks began the game as the better rebounding team, leading second-chance points early on in the game by 10-2.

 

 

The Celtics improved that as the game went on, thanks to Porzingis and the defensive focus they showed throughout the second half and specifically the fourth quarter. Postgame, Brown said that Boston’s main focus in helping them secure the win was when they started to limit the Knicks’ second-chance points. “Making it tough, I think no second chance points was the key,” Brown said.

“We want to be there and help, and we were there. We started off the second half, and we gave up a bunch of open looks to (Quentin) Grimes. Once we took that out, once we inched out on those closeouts, I thought we were fine.” Brown later says the Celtics had to “get in the mix a little bit,” and they “started fighting a little bit in the second half,” with the guards also contributing to Boston doing a better job of keeping the Knicks off the offensive glass as the game progressed.

The two-time All-Star mentioned how he enjoys when the Celtics press, as they did tonight. “I do,” Brown said. “I think it speeds up the game a lot. Allows us to get out and run and play at a faster pace.” He added how it can have a significant impact on teams that play with two bigs, like the Knicks.

 

 

The Celtics are now 8-2 as they seek revenge versus the 76ers once again in Philadelphia on Wednesday, looking to regain first place in the Eastern Conference.

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Celtics player Jayson Tatum’s one-word reaction to his father being named NBL head coach

Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics had a simple reaction to his father’s new promotion:

Justin Tatum has been elected interim head coach of the NBL’s Illawarra Hawks, and the accolades are well deserved. The club stated on Tuesday morning that coach Jacob Jackomas would not be returning for the rest of the season after starting the season with a 2-7 record, following last season’s 3-25 finish.

 

 

Tatum, the Celtics superstar’s 44-year-old father, joined the club earlier this year in a scouting and special advisory role, and the franchise feels he is the type of man who can help the team right course.

Justin played high school basketball at St. Louis Christian College High School, where he earned a state championship in 1997. During his time at St. Louis University, he was awarded to the Conference USA First Team All-Defense.

His basketball career ultimately took him to the Netherlands. Jayson was only a child at the time, and he had not seen his father in quite some time. When his father Justin returned from Europe to Missouri due to an injury, the Celtics player was eight years old.

NBA fans are well aware of Jayson Tatum’s accomplishments with the Celtics, but many are unaware that his father was the one who coached him as a child. According to Bobby Krivitsky of SportsMap Radio, Tatum further clarified on his hiring:

 

 

“I found out last night.” I’m overjoyed for him and really proud of him. That is a significant step. I know he’s working on his résumé and coaching career. In high school, he won several state championships. Different groups. He has spent the last four months in Australia as the Hawks’ head coach. I’m excited for him and look forward to him turning around that institution.”

The Hawks will play the Breakers at Spark Arena on Sunday, November 19, in their debut game under Tatum.

His son’s next game is on Wednesday, when the Celtics visit the Philadelphia 76ers.