Jayson Tatum scores 41, Boston defeats Milwaukee 139-118 in an instant Christmas classic
Tatum #Tatum
Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo are both squarely in the mix for this season’s MVP award, but it was Tatum’s night to shine. He scored 41 points, including 20 in the third quarter alone, along with 7 rebounds and 5 assists.
While Tatum sizzled, the Celtics were successful in making things difficult for Antetokounmpo. Boston’s ability to switch up defensive looks throughout the game made it difficult for the Greek Freak to find a rhythm. Antetokounmpo finished with a very respectable 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists, but it was far from his finest hour.
Tatum, on the other hand, was positively electric. His offensive performance was sensational, but the former Duke Blue Devil especially excelled on defense, turning in 3 steals. A massive dunk over Antetokounmpo was the star on the top of the tree for Tatum.