NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: HEAT VS. CELTICS

May 19, 2023

Jayson Tatum

Boston Celtics

Game 2: Postgame

Miami Heat 111, Boston Celtics 105

Q. Jayson, just three shot attempts for you in the fourth, you weren't able to get a shot attempt off in the fourth the last game. What happened in those two quarters and is it just a matter of you needing to demand the ball a lit bit more in those spots?

JAYSON TATUM: No, I mean, I had the ball a lot. Playing more point and making plays. Obviously, I draw a lot of attention, so creating for others. Sometimes shots just don't go in. We generated some good shots and I think we got some really good looks.

Q. You guys have defended Joe [Mazzulla] at different points when he's been criticized. He said coming into the game that the accountability starts with him. You've taken accountability at times throughout this year, just where are you guys at in terms of supporting him? You talked about like he's not out there. We need to be the ones who kind of step up in those spots.

JAYSON TATUM: I would venture to say I would probably say the same thing right now. We got his back, he got ours. Joe ain't missed no shots tonight. He ain't had no turnovers. I missed shots, I had turnovers. So, any time we lose I'm going to look at what I could have done better in order for us to change the outcome.

Q. The Heat seemed to kind of dictate the pace there for the second half of the fourth quarter. Why do you think they're able to take such control and kind of play how they want to play and force you guys to play a little bit differently maybe and maybe speed you up?

JAYSON TATUM: I think slowing us down but, when they score, right, you know, you can't really -- it's hard to get out in transition when the other team is scoring. We gave them a couple second-chance opportunities that, those things hurt you, especially like in the fourth quarter. They're getting two, three offensive rebounds at a time. And then they get back to set their defense.

So, it's always going to start with getting stops on the defensive end. That allows you to get out and run in transition.

Q. Just in general the fourth-quarter execution, more often than not it seems to be an issue in these close games. What's happening in these close games that's kind of costing you guys?

JAYSON TATUM: I don't know. We probably had some turnovers, but we got some good looks late in that fourth, driving and kicking. Some of the shots didn't fall. I would have to go back and watch the game to give you a better answer, which I'll go watch it tonight and we have film and stuff tomorrow to see things that we can do better.

Q. You were sitting at your locker for a long time, what were you thinking about?

JAYSON TATUM: I was getting some ice. Icing my legs. A little tired. These games starting at 8:45, so I just like to sit there and relax and catch my breath for a little bit. That's about it.

Q. When you look at these first two games of the series, especially the way they have gone in the fourth quarter, what has been the biggest difference?

JAYSON TATUM: I think part of it is us, you know, we got to execute better. We have had double-digit leads in both games and a turnover has changed the momentum or offensive rebounds led to a three has changed the momentum. So those plays right when we're up 12, when we could go up 15, 16, they go back down to -- they go on an 8-0 run and now it's at four, and now the momentum has shifted.

So, we've been up and we got to do a better job of making those, I would call them winning plays in those situations.

Q. What was your reaction when Grant Williams got into it with Jimmy Butler there?

JAYSON TATUM: I didn't think much of it.

Q. Did you think that was a mistake to kind of poke the bear a little bit?

JAYSON TATUM: No, I didn't think much of it. Tense basketball game. Guys competitive. Talking. It happens all the time, I guess.

Q. How do you guys need to handle that moment when he starts to come alive a little bit and kind of take the momentum back there?

JAYSON TATUM: Yeah, obviously don't want to foul. We fouled him a couple times. Some of those offensive rebounds and they got some opportunities. Those are tough. Give him credit, he hit some tough shots. He's a really, really great player. So, it's not always going to go your way, but you got to make it tough on guys and limit them to one shot and keep from fouling.

Q. Most of the night you were able to get through Miami's zone and kick out and find clean shots. Then crunch time it seemed like every time you would swing the ball, they would be able to stop the drive and so you guys didn't really get anywhere. Why do you think, after seeing this Miami zone so many times over the years, they're still able to be effective in these big moments?

JAYSON TATUM: I thought we got some good shots. But I could be wrong. I got to go watch the game. Our spacing might have to be a little bit better. I know Grant got a look or two, I know JB got a few looks. It's a make-or-miss league. But I'm certain -- obviously we lost, so we could be better. I would have to go watch the game and that last quarter to dive into it a little bit more.

Q. We have seen you after a lot of tough losses. You seem particularly upbeat tonight. Are you encouraged or how do you feel going down 0-2 to Miami?

JAYSON TATUM: I mean, it's tough. It's a challenge. I mean, it's no point in being up here sad and [expletive], right. They came in and won two games. They played well, you give them credit. But we're not dead or anything. We got a great opportunity. I still have the utmost confidence, everybody has the utmost confidence. We just got to get ready for Game 3.

Q. Are you guys capable in all ways physically, mentally, talent-wise to win four out of five, which you are going to have to do?

JAYSON TATUM: Yeah.