Jayson Tatum scores 41 as Celtics defeat Nets in NBA matchup

Jayson Tatum's 41 points lead Celtics to 118-110 win over Nets, continuing Boston's dominance with 13-1 record in past 14 meetings.

Jayson Tatum delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 31 of his 41 points in the first half and grabbing 14 rebounds to lead the Boston Celtics to a 118-110 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night. This win continued the Celtics' recent dominance over the Nets, with a 13-1 record in their past 14 meetings, including a four-game sweep in the first round of the 2022 playoffs.

Tatum showcased his scoring prowess, notching his 25th career 40-point game and his third of the season. He shot an impressive 14-for-26 from the field, including 5-for-11 from beyond the arc. The Celtics as a team finished with 15 3-pointers and shot 51.8 percent from the floor, with all five starters reaching double figures in scoring. Jaylen Brown contributed 19 points, while Derrick White and Al Horford added 16 points each. Jrue Holiday also had a strong performance with 14 points and a season-best 12 assists.

On the other side, Mikal Bridges led the Nets with 27 points, followed by Cam Thomas with 26 and Lonnie Walker with 15. Despite their efforts, the Nets were unable to overcome the Celtics' strong performance and fell to a 6-17 record in their past 23 games.

Tatum's hot start set the tone for the game, as he scored 16 points in the opening quarter, helping the Celtics to a 36-30 lead. The Celtics then extended their lead in the second quarter, outscoring the Nets 27-14 to enter halftime with a commanding 72-57 advantage.

Although the Nets made attempts to rally in the second half, the Celtics maintained their lead, with Tatum and Brown making crucial baskets to keep the Nets at bay. Tatum's layup and Brown's fadeaway in the fourth quarter helped secure the Celtics' victory, despite a late push from the Nets.

In the end, Tatum's stellar performance, combined with strong contributions from his teammates, propelled the Celtics to their fifth straight win. The victory further solidified the Celtics' dominance over the Nets, showcasing their ability to rise to the occasion in crucial matchups.