Jayson Tatum gives honest view on facing Sixers in Game 7
· Yahoo Sports
The Celtics had two chances already to end the Sixers’ season, going up 3-1 for a commanding series lead. But instead, the 76ers rallied to win two straight games, including a blowout Game 6 victory in Philadelphia on Thursday.
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That sets up a winner-take-all Game 7, set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at TD Garden. While some might view the C’s squandering the series lead as unfortunate, Jayson Tatum didn’t necessarily view it that way as he gave an honest view of the situation.
“You can’t wish for it to be over any sooner than it is going to be,” Tatum said. “I’ve played 130-some-odd playoff games. And bummed to say it’s going to Game 7 — no, I’m not bummed. I was out for 50 weeks. I wasn’t able to play basketball. So I get another opportunity to play the game that I love. … So obviously you want to win every game that you play, but it doesn’t always go like that.”
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Tatum has been more reflective this season ever since returning from his Achilles injury, savoring every moment of the process. While the Celtics have disappointed in their last two losses, it hasn’t meant the season is over. The C’s still have one more shot to eliminate the Sixers to advance to the second round, where the Knicks await the winner.
There was a slight injury scare Thursday after Tatum had his left leg wrapped, watching the fourth quarter from the Celtics bench. But Tatum said he expects to play Saturday and that the left leg issue isn’t anything serious. C’s coach Joe Mazzulla also subbed out his starters early in the blowout loss, which is why Tatum didn’t play down the stretch.
“Y’all probably saw when I went to the back,” Tatum said. “So I was on the bike. My leg was just a little stiff when I came out in the third quarter. But just kind of assessing the moment like the game was a little out of reach. We took the starters out.”
The Celtics will need Tatum, Jaylen Brown and the rest of their team at their best come Saturday. Boston has shown how dangerous it can be, putting together two blowout victories this series. However, the C’s have also looked listless at times with the Sixers able to tie the first-round series.
Of course, the past and momentum doesn’t necessarily matter going into a Game 7. This Celtics core has played in numerous Game 7s in their careers, which Tatum pointed out. What matters is picking up the win, though anything can happen in a small one-game sample size.
“Our intentions aren’t good,” Tatum said. “We want to go out there and play the right way and win. It’s just we just got to be a little bit more together, a little bit tougher, play with more pace, play faster. How they have played majority of the season. Then since I’ve been back, just kind of getting back to who we are.”
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