Joe Mazzulla Discusses How Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown Set the Tone for the Celtics in Win Over Cavaliers

Tatum generated 41 points, and Brown registered 16 and four assists in the Celtics' first victory vs. the Cavaliers this season.

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Wednesday night, the Celtics earned a 117-113 victory over the Cavaliers, their first win vs. Cleveland after dropping their previous two tilts in overtime.

Boston's ball movement was fantastic throughout the game, consistently creating high-quality opportunities and assisting on 27/39 field goals. The hosts also shot 50 percent from the floor and behind the arc, making 16/32 threes.

Jayson Tatum led the charge, pouring in a team-high 41 points, pairing it with 11 rebounds, matching Robert Williams and Al Horford for the most on the Celtics, and dishing out a Boston-best eight assists.

Fellow All-Star Jaylen Brown registered 16 points and four assists and only committed two turnovers.

After the game, Celtics' head coach Joe Mazzulla made it a point to praise the performance of both of the team's star players.

"(He) took what the defense gave him, Mazzulla said of Tatum. "He was aggressive, and when he got into the paint, he made the right play. He did that, (and) I thought Jaylen did a great job with the same thing. 

"I thought Jaylen really controlled the pace of the game when he had the ball, made the right play, made some big plays for us. And so when those two guys are locked in on taking what the defense gives them and making the right play, we're a great team."

Further Reading

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. Cavaliers: Jayson Tatum's 41-Point Performance Propels Boston to Bounce-Back Victory

A Top Celtics Free-Agent Target Signs Elsewhere, Where Does Boston Go from Here?

Former Celtic Defends Jayson Tatum After His First-Career Ejection

Jayson Tatum Discusses His Game-Winning Shot vs. Sixers, Including His Message to the Celtics in the Preceding Timeout

Film Room: How the Celtics Defend Joel Embiid

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