The top five plays from Sunday’s Celtics-Grizzlies game include a Daniel Theis alley-oop to Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart swiping and slamming, Tatum’s four-point play, Al Horford blocking Xavier Tillman at the rim, and Malik Fitts’ thunderous throwdown
Jayson Tatum connects with Daniel Theis for a first-quarter alley-oop.
With Al Horford and Daniel Theis elevated above the elbows, the Celtics run a horns set. Smart clears out after delivering a bounce pass to Theis. Horford spins to set a pindown for Jayson Tatum, but Tatum cuts backdoor as Ziaire Williams top-sides him. Because John Konchar is so close to Jaylen Brown in the right corner, no one is in a position to defend the rim, allowing Theis to lob an alley-oop to Tatum.
Marcus Smart has a knack for stealing and slamming the ball
The Defensive Player of the Candidate jumps the pass as Jarrett Culver telegraphs his intentions by moving slowly and Xavier Tillman fails to make contact to close off Marcus Smart. Smart then sprints down the other end, finishing with a bit extra sauce rather than a layup.
The Four-Point Play of Jayson Tatum
Filthy, filthy, filthy. Tatum is teasing Santi Aldama, and when he rises for a clean look at a step-back three, Aldama fouls him, but Tatum is in rhythm, and it doesn’t matter as he swishes a three that barely shakes the net.
Even Tatum is taken aback by the performance, exclaiming, “Wow!” to the audience.
And, sure, he hit the free throw that followed.
Xavier Tillman is denied by Al Horford at the rim.
Tillman tries to take Horford off the dribble, but he fails to establish separation or go up with authority, so Horford rejects him when he raises for the slam.
The Thunderous Throwdown of Malik Fitts
With the Celtics’ regular-season finale, a game they led from start to finish and never had a chance to lose, the fourth quarter was a well-deserved chance for the players at the tail end of the rotation to shine.
Malik Fitts took full advantage of it, as evidenced by this highlight-reel jam in which he drives to the rim and throws down a devastating dunk.
