In the Boston Celtics’ 120-95 victory in Game 1, Jayson Tatum did not shoot like a superstar against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second-round opener.
Tatum missed all five of his three-point attempts and finished 7 of 19 from the field. Although the Boston forward has seen some game-to-game challenges throughout the series, the team is able to stay on schedule because of the depth of the Celtics roster.
Having said that, how big of a problem is Tatum’s sporadic bad night for the Celtics?
According to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, it matters, particularly in scenarios where the Celtics need Tatum to defeat elite players from the Western Conference in a tight playoff matchup.
“It’s supposed to be Boston’s time,” Smith shared on “First Take” on Wednesday. “… Nothing less than a championship is going to be acceptable.
Nothing less than greatness is going to be expected from Jayson Tatum, especially when we see guys younger than him putting their greatness on display.
You cannot struggle and not answer the call to a point where it’s going to cost you a championship.”
Tatum was taken care of by the talented duo of Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, as the Celtics cruised to a 25-point victory in the second half. Smith anticipates more from the Boston Celtics great in the future.
“You, Jayson Tatum, you cannot be the reason this team doesn’t capture the chip,” Smith added.
In Game 2 on Thursday night at TD Garden, the Celtics aim to maintain their winning streak against Cleveland.