With their backs against the wall, the Celtics needed their superstar to deliver Friday night. And that’s exactly what Jayson Tatum did in what might the defining moment of his young career to date.
"I was excited to play today,” said Tatum. “Game 6. This was like a big moment for all of us. For myself and the team just how we would respond. Losing Game 5 was going to make us or break us. I think we showed a lot of toughness and growth coming out here and getting a win on the road and just giving ourselves a chance.”
Tatum’s 3-point shot carried the Celtics early and, every time Antetokounmpo and the Bucks tried to make a run in the fourth quarter, Tatum had an answer. He simply would not allow the Celtics to lose in the same way that Game 5 slipped away in Boston.Tatum did not do this alone. Brown had his moments, too -- like a huge 3-pointer coming out of a timeout with just over five minutes to play.
Now, a series that deserved a seventh game gets one. The winner’s reward is flying right to Miami to dive into the Eastern Conference finals against the Heat on Tuesday.