On Wednesday night, the Boston Celtics achieved their 30th win of the NBA season by defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 125-114 at TD Garden in Boston. This victory was largely due to the impressive performance of the team’s top players, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who collectively scored 72 points.
Brown tallied a season-best 41 points and collected 12 rebounds, while Tatum contributed 31 points and 10 rebounds as the Celtics secured their fourth consecutive victory.
Brown specifically targeted the Pelicans with his mid-range shots, attributing his increased strength from the offseason as the reason for his ability to withstand contact from larger opponents. He is making a conscious effort to avoid taking too many shots from long range.
“I believe I will consistently reach the basket at a high frequency this season,” Brown stated to journalists in an interview on the Celtics website. “I am determined to maintain this level of performance.”
“I hold the defense accountable, but I am satisfied with many of my three-point attempts. While some were successful, others were not. However, I plan to focus on driving to the basket more for the rest of the year.”
Al Horford, a forward for the Celtics, emphasized that when Brown takes a drive, it has a strong impact on others.
“When he’s aggressively driving and scoring, that’s genuine. It’s great to witness him performing at such a high level with a determined mindset to attack the basket.”
Brown recorded his sixth game with 40 or more points in his career, surpassing Celtics legends Sam Jones and Isaiah Thomas for the sixth spot on the team’s all-time list.
Tatum and his teammate, the two players on the wings, have been crucial in propelling Boston to their recent achievements.
Last season, the team made it to the NBA Finals but unfortunately lost to the Golden State Warriors. This year, they are once again considered one of the top teams in the league.
Brown and Tatum were the first players from the Celtics team to score a minimum of 30 points and grab 10 rebounds in a single game since Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker did so in 2001.
One year apart, Brown was chosen as the No. 3 pick in the 2016 draft while Tatum was picked as the No. 3 pick in 2017. Together, they have developed a strong understanding of how to break down opposing defenses.
“They are constantly developing right before our very eyes,” Horford remarked about the dynamic duo following the win. “They draw inspiration from one another, and that is what truly motivates our team.”
