The NBA season is finally back, and the Celtics have come out of the gates firing. With high expectations and a new coach, there is plenty of reason that Boston is must-watch basketball. After the end of week one, the Celtics hold a 3-1 record with their only loss to Chicago. Let’s recap the week.
Season Opener: Celtics vs. 76ers
Jayson Tatum and his squad defeated Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers 126-117 in the season opener on Oct. 18th. Tatum tied the game-high with 35 points, along with James Harden and Jaylen Brown. The Jays remain undefeated when scoring 30+ points each, and the Celtics avenge their season-opening loss of last season to the Knicks. Joe Mazzulla received his first win as a head coach as he outcoached Doc Rivers all night.
Player of the game: Jayson Tatum. 35 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists.
Oct. 21st: Celtics at Heat
The Celtics defeated the Miami Heat 111-104. This Eastern Conference rematch included a near repeat of opening night, with Tatum scoring 29 and Brown scoring 28. Tyler Herro kept it competitive with 25 points of his own, but the Heat fell after an attempted comeback.
Player of the game: Jayson Tatum. 29 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
Oct. 22nd: Celtics at Magic
Boston got their first shot at the first overall selection in the 2022 draft, Paolo Banchero. The Celtics defeated the Orlando Magic 126-120. The Magic kept it competitive throughout for a team with zero expectations. Derrick White had a huge outburst with 27 points and is making the case to stay a starter once Robert Williams is ready to go. For the first time since 2009, the Celtics are 3-0 to start the year. Along with this, Tatum broke the record for most points in the first three games by a Celtic with 104.
Player of the game: Jayson Tatum. 40 points, eight rebounds, and an assist.
Oct. 24th: Celtics at Bulls
The end of the road trip also marked the end of the undefeated season. Sorry Celtics fans, no 82-0 record this year. The Bulls defeated the Celtics 120-102. The Celtics opened the game on a 12-0 run, and that is where it turned south. DeMar DeRozan racked up 25 points to help his team put the Celtics away. Tatum had 26 points, and Brown had 21.
Player of the game: DeMar DeRozan. 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
MVP Watch
Through the first four games of the season, Tatum has as good of an argument for league MVP as anyone else. Tatum has started the year averaging 32.5 points per game on 55.6 percent shooting. He is also making an All-Defense case with 1.2 blocks per game and great on-ball defense.
Week One Final Thoughts
Week one is behind us, and the Celtics are off to a good start. Outside of the last three quarters against the Bulls, the Celtics look like the best team in basketball. Their opponents for the next week are the Cavaliers and the Wizards at home.
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