Jayson Tatum Powers Celtics Past Heat in Eastern Conference Showdown

Jayson Tatum delivered a masterclass performance Tuesday night, scoring 35 points to lead the Boston Celtics to a convincing 118-102 victory over the Miami Heat at TD Garden. The All-Star forward shot an efficient 13-of-22 from the field and knocked down 6 three-pointers in front of an electric home crowd.\n\nThe Celtics controlled the game from the opening tip, building a 15-point halftime lead behind Tatum's 21 first-half points. Boston's ball movement was crisp throughout, recording 28 assists on 44 made field goals. Jaylen Brown added 24 points and 7 rebounds, while Kristaps Porzingis contributed 18 points and 9 rebounds in his return from a minor ankle injury.\n\nMiami struggled to find offensive rhythm without Jimmy Butler, who missed his third consecutive game with a knee issue. Tyler Herro led the Heat with 22 points, but shot just 8-of-20 from the field as Boston's defense applied constant pressure. Bam Adebayo managed 16 points and 11 rebounds but was limited by foul trouble in the second half.\n\nThe victory extends Boston's winning streak to seven games and strengthens their position atop the Eastern Conference standings. Coach Joe Mazzulla praised his team's defensive intensity, noting they held Miami to 39% shooting from the field. "Our guys were locked in defensively tonight," Mazzulla said postgame. "When we defend like that and move the ball offensively, we're tough to beat."\n\nTatum's dominant performance continues his MVP-caliber season, as he's now averaging 28.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. The Celtics have won 14 of their last 16 games and appear to be hitting their stride at the perfect time as they prepare for another deep playoff run.