Inside The Celtics

Here's What Jayson Tatum Kept Telling Himself Throughout Wednesday's Comeback vs. Timberwolves

Jayson Tatum generated a game-high 45 points, including 26 in the fourth quarter and overtime, propelling the Celtics past the top seed in the West.

Bobby Krivitsky

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
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Much of Wednesday's game between the Boston Celtics and the Minnesota Timberwolves featured a slow, choppy pace.

There were 20 fouls and 22 free throws in the first half alone, with the hosts going 10/10 at the stripe and Minnesota making all 12 of its attempts. There were ten of the former and 12 of the latter in the third quarter.

That made it difficult for the hosts to operate up-tempo and tap into their speed advantage against a Timberwolves team that, even with Rudy Gobert inactive due to left hip soreness, had the talented double-big tandem of Karl-Anthony Towns and Naz Reid on the floor together for much of the matchup.

Still, the Celtics, not quite at their best and playing without Kristaps Porzingis, managed to hang around. Minnesota's largest lead of the night was only nine points.

With his team within striking distance, Jayson Tatum revealed post-game that he repeatedly told himself, "'Find a way to win,' that's what I kept telling myself. Find a way to win this game, and that's what we did."

The soon-to-be five-time All-Star and a crucial tactical adjustment, having Al Horford screen higher up the court for him to counter the visitors' elevated pick-up points, fueled the hosts' rally in the final frame.

Tatum, who finished with 45 points, leading all scorers, generated 14 of those in the last 12 minutes of regulation, then tacked on 12 more in overtime.

With space to build momentum as he attacked downhill, consistently beating Towns and Reid off the dribble en route to the basket and burying three of the four threes he hoisted in the final 17 minutes, there was nothing the Timberwolves could do to cut his water off.

It's the primary reason the Celtics improved to 18-0 at TD Garden, setting a new franchise record for their best start to a season on their home floor, earning a 127-120 victory in a battle between the top seed in the East and the team atop the Western Conference standings.

Further Reading

Here's What Stood Out as Crucial Adjustment Ignites Jayson Tatum, Propels Celtics Past Timberwolves to Remain Unbeaten at Home

Jrue Holiday Responds to Celtics Saying He's Sacrificing Most: 'Not Mad at My Situation'

Oshae Brissett Making Strong Case to Fill Celtics' Search for Big Wing

Driven by Championship Pursuit, Jayson Tatum Unfazed by Sacrifice, Less Fanfare: 'Don't Look for That Praise'

Celtics Maximization Fueled by Their Maturation: 'Not Taking Days for Granted'

Brad Stevens Shares What Celtics Are Looking to Add and How He Hopes to Do So

Brad Stevens Says Celtics Have 'Green Light' to Add to Payroll, But Boston Still Restricted

Derrick White Opens Up About Journey from Uncertainty He Belonged in the NBA to an All-Star Caliber Guard

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'

Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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