Jayson Tatum’s 51-point Game 7 performance against the Philadelphia 76ers broke the record set just two weeks prior by Stephen Curry. Tatum also recorded 13 rebounds and five assists, making him just the fifth player in NBA history to reach 50-10-5 in a playoff game. Tatum’s impressive feat helped the Celtics secure a 112-88 victory and advance to the Eastern Conference finals.
Tatum’s Redemption
After struggling in Game 6, Tatum called Game 7 a chance for the Celtics to redeem themselves, and he certainly delivered. Tatum scored or assisted on 62 points in the game, outshining the Sixers’ star duo of Joel Embiid and James Harden, who combined for just 44 points. Tatum scored all 51 of his points in the half court, against five different defenders, including 17 points against Embiid, the 2023 NBA MVP. By the end of the game, the sold-out crowd at TD Garden was chanting “MVP” in honor of Tatum’s incredible performance.
Looking Ahead to the Conference Finals
The Celtics will face the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals, a team they are familiar with and respect. Tatum acknowledged that the Heat are a well-coached team that competes with the best of them and figures out a way to win games. However, with the other top seeds in the conference eliminated, the Celtics opened as -500 favorites to beat the Heat (+380) at Caesars Sportsbook.
The Celtics have now won seven series when trailing 3-2, the most by any team in NBA history, according to research by ESPN’s Stats & Information. The team has been relying on their experiences from last year’s playoff run, where they reached the NBA Finals, and their rallying cry of “unfinished business” has been displayed prominently throughout the year. With Tatum’s historic performance leading the way, the Celtics are poised to make another deep playoff run.
Leave a Reply