In the opening duo of games in the NBA Finals, Jayson Tatum has been relatively mute in terms of point production.
Even though he’s contributed to two decisive wins that have propelled the Celtics ahead, the forward is only averaging 17 points per game, in addition to grabbing ten rebounds and dishing out 8.5 assists. His shooting precision stands at 4-14 from three-point range and 12-38 from the field overall.
Securing buckets in the Finals has become a significant hurdle for the Celtics’ standout, as highlighted by his career-worst Finals shooting percentage of just 35.4 percent since the merger of the NBA with the ABA.
At 26, Tatum recognizes the urgent need to enhance his scoring game and is applying insights from past Finals appearances to tackle the current hurdle.
“Having been through the Finals before has definitely prepared me for now,” Tatum stated at a press conference in Dallas on Tuesday.
“I’ve acknowledged that my output and shot-making need to get better. I’m not disputing that critique. Yet, I’m not letting it sidetrack me. I am determined to make an impact on the game and dominate in other areas,” he continued.
The Mavericks’ tenacious defense has been successful in stifling Tatum’s scoring threat, often employing double or triple teams, which forces him to pass the ball and let his teammates tally scores.
But for the Celtics to capture the title, they rely on Tatum to increase his offensive contributions soon, and he is confident that a breakthrough is on the horizon.
“It could all come down to one game,” Tatum asserted. “One explosive game can change the entire narrative. So, it’s about holding on to that belief that I’m just one game away – whatever that means for you. As I’ve pointed out before, I know the taste of defeat from this stage. This time, I’m resolved to employ every tool at my disposal to bring about a different outcome.”
Image Source: Jayson Tatum / Instagram
