The Conference Finals journey started off with a bang. The Boston Celtics and Miami Heat both put on a show. However, the Heat ended up on the winning side on the back of Jimmy Butler’s magnificent performance. But the game itself was full of ups and downs. And the perfect summary came in with Tatum’s drastic downfall in the second half of Game 1.
Fending off the defending champions, Milwaukee Bucks in a tough 7-game series, the Celtics checked in at an all-time high. They were fresh off some impressive basketball and Jayson Tatum was the spearhead.
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Likewise, took the number one seed head-on and put them on the back foot in the first half. Tatum burst into the game with a 21-point first half.
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However, that was the last positive highlight for the Celtics All-Star for the remainder of the game. He went cold in the second half as NBA fans piled on to him.
Celtics drop Game 1 as Jayson Tatum shrinks in the second half
Everything looked set for the Boston Celtics in Game 1. Being on the road, they had done half the job and were ahead by the end of the first half. Their most reliable scorer, Jayson Tatum was firing on all cylinders scoring 21 points to lead the way. However, the 24-year-old couldn’t keep things at the same pace and had an abysmal second half. He scored just 8 points in the period and was extremely sloppy.
Likewise, fans took notice of his downfall and criticized the superstar for getting down in the biggest moments.
Jayson Tatum had 6(!) turnovers in the third quarter.
— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) May 18, 2022
Tatum disappeared in the second half. Man.
— Detroit Griot (@JustCallmeBHunt) May 18, 2022
Tatum was feeling himself like a mf during Halftime, nigga was blushing reading the tweets, nigga forgot how to hoop in the 2nd half
— ً (@FanMahome) May 18, 2022
I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like Jayson Tatum’s second half disappearing acts. I really don’t. How do you go from unstoppable first half to, “Is he even on the floor?” in the second half.
— Chris Kouffman (@ckparrot) May 18, 2022
Jayson Tatum in the second half… pic.twitter.com/BXb0T8nSev
— Growl Towl (@GrowlTowl) May 18, 2022
@jaytatum0 ur team was wearing green tonight idk if u forgot about that in the second half
— Fish (@FisholasMMA) May 18, 2022
jayson tatum in the second half : pic.twitter.com/swJeb6IoQa
— YONI🎖 (@DemonTimeYoni) May 18, 2022
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Way to show some *real* heart there @jaytatum0 ! Tinman folded like a beach chair in the second half.
— Mike Y (@LipWrecked1982) May 18, 2022
The Celtics did all the hard work and even led by as many as 13 points at one point in the game. However, they let it go in the third quarter when the Heat decided to go all-out attack mode. They outscored the Celtics by 25 points and successfully took control in their house. From there, Jimmy and the rest of his Miami teammates did not give the Celtics any breathing room to force a comeback into the game.
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As for Tatum, the leading scorer for the Celtics ended the game with 29 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals. However, his six turnovers cost Boston too much. They couldn’t rally a comeback in the fourth quarter as they fell down 0-1 in the ECF series. Down 0-1, do you think the Celtics can make a comeback in the series?