Four-time All-Star Jayson Tatum is savoring his Boston Celtics' upcoming Eastern Conference Finals rematch against the Miami Heat, after stomping out the Philadelphia 76ers 112-88 on Sunday with a record-breaking 51 points in Game 7.
The Celtics beat the Heat a year ago en route to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Golden State Warriors. Tatum promised there would be fireworks when their rivalry with Miami continues this week.
"They make plays and they figure out a way to win games. It's going to be fun, it's going to be highly competitive," said Tatum.It will mark the third time the two teams have met in the conference finals in four seasons, after the Heat came out on top in 2020 before losing the championship series against the Los Angeles Lakers.as the first eighth seeds in nearly a quarter-century to reach the conference finals.
But Tatum's Sunday showstopper - with 13 rebounds, five assists and the most points ever in a Game 7 - surely sent a chill even through the balmy shores of South Beach. "Being in another Game 7, being able to come back home in front of our fans, I was really excited for the moment," he told reporters.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said the performance was as much a credit to Tatum's physical skill as his mental toughness, after overcoming a sluggish start to Game 6 when the Sixers had them on the ropes."When you play like that and live like that, I think it works out for him ... He'll have the humility to just keep going.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Sixers at Celtics: Jayson Tatum Scores 51 Points, Sixers Suffer Dismal Game 7 LossJayson Tatum torched the Sixers for 51 points on Sunday and the team's season ended with a 112-88 Game 7 loss to the Celtics at TD Garden, NBCSPhilly has the game recap.
Read more »
Tatum sets Game 7 record with 51 points, Celtics beat 76ers 112-88The Celtics, who lost to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals last year, will face the Miami Heat.
Read more »
Jayson Tatum pours in record-breaking 51 points as Celtics rout 76ers in Game 7Jayson Tatum scored 51 points – the most in a Game 7 in NBA history — and the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 112-88 on Sunday to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.
Read more »
NBA playoffs: Jayson Tatum's record-breaking 51 powers Celtics blowout of 76ers in Game 7There was no slow start for Jayson Tatum on Sunday.
Read more »
Tatum sets Game 7 record with 51 points, Celtics beat 76ers 112-88Jayson Tatum scored 51 points and the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 112-88 to advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the second straight year.
Read more »
Jayson Tatum drops Game 7-record 51 points, Celtics destroy 76ersEditorsNote: adds Mazzulla quote, fills out Rivers quote, other minor tweaks
Read more »