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    • Jayson Tatum helps the Boston Celtics end the Cleveland Cavaliers’ winning streak
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    Jayson Tatum helps the Boston Celtics end the Cleveland Cavaliers’ winning streak

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    Boston’s Jayson Tatum had the mismatch on Cleveland’s Georges Niang. The Cavaliers had erased the Celtics’ 21-point lead and trailed by just two points as the third quarter ended.

    Tatum drove hard to the left and hit the brakes. Niang tried to absorb the contact in hopes that a referee would call an offensive foul on Tatum. He failed, flailing and falling. Tatum nailed the three-pointer to give the Celtics a five-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

    The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 120-117 on Tuesday, handing Cleveland its first loss of the season and ending its 15-game winning streak, which matched the second-best start to a season in NBA history .

    That Tatum 3 was one of six he made and was part of a 33-point, 12-rebound, seven-assist, two-steal effort from the Celtics star.

    Considering Cleveland’s start and Boston’s role as defending champions and favorites to win the Eastern Conference again, it was a big regular-season game, and add in that it was an NBA Cup game — and a possible East play -off match – fans and media paid attention .

    A truth came to light: If Tatum continues to play at an MVP level and if the Celtics continue to use the 3-ball so effectively and if their defense can remain in the top 10, they will be difficult to beat. a series of seven games in April, May and June.

    Boston made 22 of 41 three-pointers – the fifth time it has made 20 or more threes this season and the third consecutive game with at least 20 threes – and hit 14 in the first half.

    The Celtics relied on the three last season and defeated opponents, including Dallas in the Finals, with their ability to connect from deep.

    This season they are even more reliant on the 3. They lead the league in 3s made (19.1 per game) and 3s attempted (50.5 per game) and are on pace to set single-season records in both categories. They also rank No. 7 in 3-point percentage (37.9%).

    Boston has made living and dying by the 3 meaningless because it has so many players who can make 3s. Six players made at least two 3s against the Cavaliers: Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday and Payton Pritchard. Sam Hauser and Kristaps Porzingis, who is recovering from an injury and returning later this season, are capable of scoring two more in a game.

    Even if one or two players are out, they have enough shot makers to compensate. The Celtics spread the court and have capable finishers at the rim. They exerted enormous pressure on opponents.

    Much of that pressure starts with Tatum, who has been All-NBA first-team the past three seasons and is in the early-season MVP conversation with 29.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 5, 9 assists and 1.4 steals per game on 46.4% shooting from the field and 39.4% on 3s.

    He made 11 of 22 shots against Cleveland and became the first Celtics player to record at least 30 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and six made 3s, according to basketball-reference.com.

    Tatum is coming off the strange Olympics experience in Paris, where he didn’t play in a group stage or in the semifinals against Serbia, and struggled with his jump shot. He hesitates to say what additional motivation, if any, that experience has given him. Regardless, his play is as good as ever and possibly better.

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