It was Jayson Tatum who called game with 2.9 seconds to play, but his sidekick Jaylen Brown was the one who stole all the headlines after a 31-point performance ensured he remains the Celtics’ leading scorer.
Tatum’s elbow pull up after breaking free of Detroit forward Blake Griffin made sure the Celtics didn’t finish their road trip with a losing record. JT finished the game with a career high 12 assists, 24 points and eight rebounds on 50% shooting from beyond the arc.
The 22-year-old’s second game winner of the season was honoured by Coach Brad Stevens, who said his team executed great on the last two offensive plays, and loved the hard move Jayson Tatum made to his left that led to his game-winner.
Tatum. CLUTCH. pic.twitter.com/aX4WrgZQH8
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 3, 2021
Jaylen Brown managed 31 points and four assists on 81% shooting and 5/8 three-point attempts made. The former California Golden Bear upped his season average to 28 points per game, tied for fifth in the NBA. After being unfairly snubbed from the All-Star game last season, Brown is making sure he makes that selection this time around.
All-Defensive First Team guard Marcus Smart had his say on Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum taking yet another leap in their games, telling the media post-game:
“Oh, we love it. They are two of the best in the league. We know it and they need to bring that swagger every night. They are making the right reads and really controlling the game.”
After hitting what turned out to be the game winner, Jayson Tatum also made a vital block in the final seconds to lift Boston’s record to 4-3 for the season. The 57% shooting night for Brad Stevens’ side was their best shooting night since December 2019, 57.7% against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Massachusetts based organisation certainly have a special duo on their hands with ‘The Jays’, who are averaging a combined 52.3 points per game this season alongside 12.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists. Watching the two enter their prime together for the Boston Celtics is going to be a joy to watch for basketball fans globally.
Jaylen Brown this season:
31 points (13-16 FG)
25 points (12-20 FG)
42 points (15-21 FG)
20 points (7-13 FG)
18 points (8-13 FG)
27 points (11-25 FG)
33 points (13-24 FG)Absolute flamethrower ? pic.twitter.com/26CKtx4ZAV
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) January 3, 2021
The Celtics will make the trip over the border to face the 1-4 Toronto Raptors tomorrow night, looking to pick up their fourth win of the season and move further up the Eastern playoff spots.
Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt