Boston Celtics set the tone in the Eastern Conference Finals with game 1. The combination of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum played a big part in taking the game to overtime and ending it 133-128 to triumph against the Pacers. In the initial moments, no one could’ve predicted that outcome with Tatum looking sluggish. His late-game spurt blew away not one viewer, but his own teammates. Brown even made a remark as if Tatum was a sleeping dragon that finally woke up to scorch the Pacers.

Not only those in the TF Garden but those watching online were loving Tatum’s revival in overtime. After Tatum ended the game with 36 points, Brown summarized it as, “JT Finally woke up, made some baskets… he was able to make some plays towards the end,” in his post-game interview. It’s aptly “insane,” as one fan pointed out but in the spectacular way we wanted.

Tatum had 12 rebounds and 4 assists in 45 minutes as well. Brown played almost as long, scoring 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Jrue Holiday shared the offensive load with 28 points of his own.

Brown was also commending the Pacers for their speed. But at the end, he believes his teammates executed the play they drew up and it worked. All they have to do is keep the momentum going. It helps that Tatum can go off when it’s needed.

It’s Double-Jay’s fifth conference finals in their seven seasons as teammates. That remarkable chemistry showed in the most thrilling fashion. After Brown tied the game with a clutch three with 6.1 seconds remaining in regulation time, Tatum scored 10 points in overtime alone.

Anyone who saw Tatum play before overtime wouldn’t have seen that coming. He missed several shots and didn’t look like someone who could rally in crucial overtime, totalling 12 shots of 26 from the field.

If not for that overtime, he and Brown would’ve ended the game with the same individual score and a different outcome for the team. Fans, however, praise Brown who is making his teammates pull his weight.

In the same post-game interview, Brown was far from complacent. He said they need to play better going into Game 2 on Thursday in their home turf. As Boston fans note, no one gets a pass.

Jaylen Brown has higher expectations

If Brown had his way, he’d probably not want Tatum to wake up so late. He didn’t mince his words about his expectations from all his teammates. “A lot of ups and downs…  don’t think we played our best.” 

Brown and Tatum have made it this far too many times but only made it to the Finals in 2022 where they lost to the Warriors. Conference Finals aren’t the only goal for this duo and a franchise that only hangs championship banners. Brown reiterated they have no time to make excuses or lay back on this win.

He saw that the Pacers aren’t an easy team to beat today. So it’s time for the Celtics to recalibrate before the next game. Do you think a clutch move would keep the Celtics afloat?