Tatum echoes Bird with 40-point triple-double

CHICAGO -- Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics started slowly, tussling early pinch the Chicago Bulls.

But the defending NBA champions came connected and prevailed 123-98 connected Saturday night, pinch Tatum's 43-point, 16-rebound and 10-assist effort earning the five-time All-Star comparisons to erstwhile Celtics awesome and Hall of Famer Larry Bird.

Tatum's 3rd profession triple-double was the first for a Celtics subordinate that included 40 aliases much points since Bird scored 49 points pinch 14 rebounds and 12 assists against Portland successful a 152-148 double-overtime triumph connected March 15, 1992, according to the team.

Tatum emphasized winning is what matters most, but a small icing connected the barroom isn't bad.

"Larry Bird is astir apt the champion subordinate to ever deterioration this uniform," Tatum said. "So immoderate clip you execute thing successful the aforesaid condemnation arsenic him, it's thing special, moreover if you ne'er scope that pinnacle."

Bird vanished pinch 59 triple-doubles successful his 13 seasons pinch Boston. According to the Celtics, Tatum's was the first for the squad that included 40 aliases much points and 15 aliases much rebounds. Tatum's effort besides counted arsenic his sixth consecutive double-double and 14th this season.

Tatum sewage rolling successful the 2nd quarter, past scored 18 points successful the 3rd arsenic Boston utilized a 19-8 tally to unfastened a 93-77 lead heading into the fourth. He vanished 16 for 24 from the floor, hitting 9 of 15 3-point attempts. Two free throws rounded retired his scoring line.

"As a hoops player, you consciousness the rhythm, the shot is uncovering you," Tatum said. "You're conscionable being progressive each complete the spot and astir apt successful that 3rd quarter.

"Joe [Mazzulla] conscionable challenges maine each night, conscionable to amplify my teammates and fig retired ways to predominate each complete the court. Obviously tonight, I'm scoring a batch and getting rebounds. It conscionable looks different connected a fixed night."

The crippled was tied astatine 42 midway done the 2nd quarter, past the Celtics and Tatum recovered an violative rhythm. Boston had a 61-54 lead astatine the half, utilizing an 8-0 tally to unfastened a 12-point lead astatine 1 point. Tatum and the Celtics took complaint successful the 3rd aft the Bulls had closed to wrong 5 points.

"He went extracurricular what we usually do and that's a testament to him," Mazzulla said. "Just his shot-making, his decision-making, his expertise to rebound. I thought he benignant of controlled the full game."