Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum is confident the team will respond in Gm 5 of the Finals against the Golden State Warriors. Tatum stated Boston has been in the same position constantly this postseason and the team responded well after losses.
“It was a tough loss, and we understand that, and I think we’ve been here before,” Tatum said. This is third time in a row I feel like we’ve been here. So we know what it takes. We know what we have to do and attention to detail and things like that.”
The Warriors outplayed Boston in the second half thanks to Stephen Curry’s scoring explosion. The Warriors’ superstar finished with 43 points to lead his team to a huge victory. The Celtics, however, have a perfect record after losses in the playoffs.
“I’m confident like I have been all playoffs, confident in the fact that we’ll respond and play better for the majority of the game tomorrow,” Tatum continued.
Tatum was a non-factor in the crunch time, and the Celtics star duo of Brown and Tatum could not push the Celtics to the victory in Game 4. Tatum said the Cs will need to communicate better to put the rest of the team in the best position possible.
Tatum had 23 points Friday but struggled with his efficiency, shooting 8-of-23 from the field. It was the 24-year-old’s third time in the series against the Warriors that he shot under 40 percent.
“That’s just something we have to be better as a team, knowing who is on the floor, what we are trying to take advantage of, and how to put guys in the best position for them to be the best version of themselves,” Boston’s superstar said.
In the aftermath of the loss to the Warriors Friday, head coach Ime Udoka said the Celtics’ forward was hunting more for fouls than going strong and finishing. The Warriors’ defense has done an outstanding job on bothering Tatum, but the Celtics need the best version of their star in Game 5.
“I think one thing I noticed is playing on two feet a lot more. You know, like Coach said, playing off one foot and trying to look for fouls isn’t — has not been working in my favor as much,” Tatum said on the hunting fouls statement.
“I think playing off two feet, attacking angles, instead of trying to initiate the contact and things like that,” he continued on the adjustment he’ll need to do himself. Game 5 of the Finals is Monday night at Chase Center.
