The Celtics’ Jayson Tatum talks about the significance of the historic 18-0 home record.
On Wednesday night, the Boston Celtics overcame a fiercely competitive Minnesota Timberwolves squad that seemed to have them under control towards the end of the game. Thanks to Jayson Tatum, who finished the game with 45 points after scoring 26 points in both the fourth quarter and overtime of the Celtics’ 125-120 victory over the Timberwolves, Boston is now 18-0 at home this season.
The Celtics have opened the season with a franchise-best 18-game home winning streak, which is no small accomplishment considering the caliber of teams the team has fielded in the past. Tatum and company are aware of how crucial it is for the team to defend homecourt in this way, even though this statistic doesn’t initially seem like much to be excited about.
Jayson Tatum discussed how important it is for the Celtics to turn TD Garden into a medieval stronghold during his post-game news conference. This is especially true as they aim to contend for the title that has escaped them the last few years.
It has great significance. We haven’t played that well at home over the past year or two, especially in the playoffs, as I’ve stated on record. Furthermore, we were never truly lost at home during my employment. Our goal is to return to that. Regaining focus is a positive thing,” Tatum stated, according to Noa Dalzell of SB Nation’s Celtics Blog, via CLNS Media.
The Celtics have, in fact, dropped a couple big games at home in recent years. No one would ever forget the moment that Stephen Curry turned the Golden State Warriors on his back in Game 4 of the 2022 NBA Finals or the fact that Boston missed a closeout game attempt against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden in 2022.
The Celtics lost both of their home games in an Eastern Conference Finals rematch with the Heat last year, as well as the opening two games of the series against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of the playoffs.
If Jayson Tatum and company keep playing at this level, it appears that they will be the side with homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs; therefore, securing homecourt will be crucial.
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