Is this Tatum stat cause for concern? Celtics star doesn’t think so

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Is this Tatum stat cause for concern? Celtics star doesn’t think so originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The best player on the NBA’s best team appears to have an Achilles heel this season.

Jayson Tatum’s late-game offense was in the spotlight again Thursday night after the Boston Celtics’ overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks, during which Tatum missed an off-balance, fadeaway 3-point attempt at the end of regulation that would have won the game for Boston.

After Thursday’s errant attempt, Tatum is now 0-for-6 this season on “buzzer beater” attempts taken in the final five seconds with a chance to tie or take the lead. Expanding out to the final 10 seconds of one-possession games (score within three points), Tatum is 1-for-9, good for an 11.1 percent shooting rate that ranks last in the NBA among players with at least seven attempts in such situations.

Those are concerning numbers for a star player who may find himself in similar situations this postseason. But Tatum believes it’s only a matter of time before he gets a clutch shot to fall.

“I know I’ve missed a couple this year, so I was like, ‘Damn, I gotta be due for one,’” Tatum told reporters after the game, as seen in the video player above.

“I’ve hit a bunch of them in my career so far, but it’s part of it — make or miss league. I really do enjoy being in those situations.”

To Tatum’s point, he has delivered in big moments before. The five-time All-Star hit five “clutch” shots (final 10 seconds, score within three points) on 15 attempts last season, including a game-winning 3-pointer on the road against the Philadelphia 76ers last February. He’s delivered several loud fourth quarters in both the regular and postseason and doesn’t shy away from the spotlight down the stretch.

But Tatum’s issue this season isn’t confidence — it’s shot selection.

While Tatum has gotten a handful of clean looks late in games, the majority of his nine “clutch” attempts have been heavily contested and away from the basket. Teams know that the ball is going to Tatum on Boston’s final possession, and they’ve been loading up to stop the All-Star forward as a…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/tatum-stat-cause-concern-celtics-173431469.html

Author : NBC Sports Boston

Publish date : 2024-03-29 17:34:42

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