Tatum’s Heroics Propel Celtics to Overtime Victory In a sensational showdown labelled a “Game of the Year” candidate, the Boston Celtics extended their undefeated streak at TD Garden this season with an exhilarating overtime victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Celtics now stand at 18-0 on their home court, marking their most consecutive home wins to start a season in franchise history. The Wednesday night matchup unfolded as a thrilling back-and-forth affair, resulting in a gritty 127-120 triumph for the Celtics.
Here are the three key storylines and takeaways from the intense encounter:
Tatum’s Heroics: Jayson Tatum played the role of hero, orchestrating a comeback for the Celtics with a remarkable performance. Despite Minnesota’s late surge, Tatum’s incredible sequence, including a missed free throw, an offensive rebound by Derrick White, and a go-ahead 3-pointer by Jrue Holiday, proved pivotal. Tatum’s takeover continued in overtime, accumulating 26 of his total 45 points between the fourth quarter and the extra period. His efficient shooting, including a 6-of-11 performance from beyond the arc, showcased his clutch prowess.
Brown’s Red-Hot Streak: Jaylen Brown continued his scorching form, particularly in the first quarter where he scored in double figures for the 11th time this season. Shooting an impressive 56.2 percent in first quarters, Brown contributed 35 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block. This marked the first time in his career that Brown scored 30 or more points in three consecutive regular-season games, aligning with Tatum’s stellar performance.
Finals Preview: The Celtics-Timberwolves matchups this season have been instant classics, with both games requiring overtime periods. The Timberwolves, now boasting a 26-11 record, have presented a formidable challenge to the Celtics in each encounter. Despite missing key players like Rudy Gobert, their top-ranked defense has proven resilient. The budding superstar Anthony Edwards, alongside Karl-Anthony Towns, has showcased Minnesota’s potential, supported by a strong cast including Naz Reid, Kyle Anderson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Jaden McDaniels. The prospect of a Celtics-Timberwolves NBA Finals matchup, once considered farfetched, now appears intriguing based on the competitiveness of the two games witnessed so far.
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