With bigger Celtics ailing, Jayson Tatum wants to keep Pacers from bouncing back on glass
“At this point in the season, it’s whatever you’ve got to do to help the team win,” Tatum said.
INDIANAPOLIS — Jayson Tatum has been a workhorse for the Celtics this postseason, leading the team in minutes (40), points (25.2), rebounds (10.2), and assists (5.6) per game heading into Saturday’s Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.
It was no different. Tatum once again led the Celtics with 36 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists in 44 minutes, willing a 114-111 victory after overcoming an 18-point deficit.
With Kristaps Porzingis (calf) and Luke Kornet (wrist) both out for Game 3, Tatum had another set of responsibilities to his plate as a small-ball center on certain possessions when Al Horford was going to be on the bench. Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam took advantage of the smaller lineup during the first half, but the Celtics were able to storm back.
Tatum said playing the five is an adjustment, but also noted that the Celtics have been preparing for scenarios like this one.
“At this point in the season, it’s whatever you’ve got to do to help the team win,” Tatum said. “It doesn’t feel unnatural, but it is something different that we’ve worked on and talked about throughout the season in practices and things like that. So, it’s not like a shock or anything like that.”
The Celtics are a perfect 10-0 in games when Tatum grabs 10 or more rebounds this postseason. They’re 1-2 when he doesn’t.
Tatum’s impact on the glass is about more than just how many rebounds he tracks down, he said. Boxing out Indiana’s bigs so others can have a shot to help when they crash the boards also is important.
“We’ve got to rebound. And maybe, it’s not always, ‘I’m getting it,’ ” Tatum said. “I’ve got to make sure I’m boxing out [Isaiah] Jackson or Turner, whoever I am guarding, and you know five guys got to be in the paint and it’s your job to put a body on a man and somebody else to grab the ball.”
Jrue Holiday, who was listed as questionable with a non-COVID illness, pulled down nine rebounds and helped seal the win with a steal in the final seconds.
The Celtics were out-rebounded, 43-36, but put forth a strong enough effort to win despite being undersized for stretches of the game.
Haliburton hobbling
Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton missed Game 3 because of an injured left hamstring that knocked him out of Game 2 in the third quarter.
Haliburton, who is averaging 18.7 points, 8.2 assists, and 4.8 rebounds this postseason, missed 10 games during the regular season with a left hamstring injury he first suffered against the Celtics. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said the All-NBA guard wanted to play Saturday, but the doctors would not clear him.
“Obviously, other guys tend to step up more whenever somebody is out,” Tatum said. “More guys get an opportunity. More freedom, maybe a bigger role. So, you’ve just got to expect those other guys to play with more freedom, especially on the offensive end.”
That guy proved to be Andrew Nembhard, whose 32 points were a career high.
Streak snapped
The Pacers had won 11 games in a row at home, including all six in the playoffs, before Saturday night. Tatum pointed to Indiana’s home-court advantage as a reason for the Celtics to stay focused.
“I think Game 3 is always the toughest just because you are going to a new environment, their first home game,” Tatum said. “Obviously they’re excited to be back home and we expect a great atmosphere. They’ve been really good at home, so we’ve got to be that much better.”
Boston did just that and snapped Indiana’s win streak. The Pacers, who dropped the first two games to the Knicks last round before winning in seven games, now trail this series, 3-0.
“It’s not time to relax,” Tatum said before the game at shootaround.
Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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