Jayson Tatum names the player to be BLAMED for Celtics loss to Heat in Game 2

Tatum takes responsibility for Celtics’ fourth-quarter meltdown in Game 2.

Jayson Tatum names the player to be BLAMED for Celtics loss to Heat in Game 2

Jayson Tatum talks to the media postgame (Via NBA.com)

The Boston Celtics had a golden opportunity to even the Eastern Conference finals on Friday night, but they let it slip away. They led by as many as nine points in the game, but they were outscored 36-22 in the fourth quarter and lost 106-104 to the Miami Heat. Jayson Tatum was the best player for Boston, with 34 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. However, he also had five turnovers and went scoreless in the fourth quarter.

Tatum took the blame for the loss and said he could have done more to help his team win. He also defended Celtics’ Head Coach, Joe Mazzulla, who was blamed for poor team planning and strategies.

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“We got his back, he got ours. Joe [Mazzulla] ain’t missing no shots tonight, he ain’t have no turnovers. I missed shots, I had turnovers. Anytime we lose, I look at what I could’ve done better,” Tatum said in the post-game press conference.

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The Heat now have a 2-0 lead in the series and are two wins away from reaching the NBA Finals. They were led by Jimmy Butler, who scored 27 points and hit some big shots down the stretch. Bam Adebayo also had a monster game for Miami and flirted with a near triple-double, with 22 points, 17 rebounds and nine assists.

Also Read: “F**ked around and found out” – Jimmy Butler HEADBUTTS AND COOKS Grant Williams, NBA Twitter joins in bashing Celtics player for trash-talking Heat superstar

Celtics Need to Regroup and Get More from Jayson Tatum in Game 3

Jimmy Butler and Grant Williams headbutt in the second half during Game 2 (Via Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports)
Jimmy Butler and Grant Williams headbutt in the second half during Game 2 (Via Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports)

One of the key moments of the game came in the fourth quarter when Jimmy Butler was hard-fouled by Grant Williams, who then had a tense headbutt situation with Butler. Both players were given technical fouls for their showing. Butler responded by scoring 12 points in the final four minutes of the game.

Williams, who played 26 minutes and scored nine points in Game 2, said he made a mistake by talking trash to Butler. “I think he said something and I just responded… I’m not gonna run away from it… For me, it’s a matter of understanding that, yeah he did ‘poke a bear’ … I respect him as a motherf*cking player.” Williams said after the game.

The Celtics will now have to regroup and try to win Game 3 on Sunday. They will need more clutch play from Tatum in the fourth quarter, as well as better defense and execution down the stretch.

The Heat, meanwhile, are in a great position with a 2-0 lead heading home for two straight games. They have shown great toughness and teamwork in this series, and they will look to keep their momentum and move closer to NBA Finals.

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