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Los Angeles (AFP) – Jayson Tatum, author of a 51-point recital, guided the Celtics, the best team in the championship, to victory over the Hornets (130-116), opening Martin Luther King Day, celebrating every 3rd Monday in January the Reverend’s birthday.
Particularly skilful (15/23 on shots, 9 rebounds, 5 assists), Tatum scored, as he knows how to do, but he also created a number of favorable situations in attack, infiltrating, feinting and offering a few caviars to his partners , such as this alley-oop (pass in the air) to Robert Williams III (8 pts, 9 rebounds) in the third quarter.
At that time, the C’s were quietly leading the dance with a 17-point lead, but Charlotte showed pride, like winger Jalen McDaniels (26 pts) who brought his team back to – 2 at the start of the fourth quarter, well helped by LaMelo Ball (25 pts).
But Boston, even deprived of Jaylen Brown (adductor), was able to give a boost, by the inevitable Tatum, who planted three consecutive long-range banderillas in the last two minutes, closing the last quarter with 18 points.
“It’s been a while since I put 50 points. Besides, I missed a few shots at the start of the match… well, it was better at the end”, he commented with a smile , adding regarding Martin Luther King, “without him, I might not do what I do and realize my dream”.
On the strength of this seventh success in a row, the Celtics are at the top of the standings in the East, with the best record in the league (33 wins for 12 losses).
© 2023 AFP
