Celtics’ Jayson Tatum Explains Why He Wanted to Face Heat in NBA Playoffs 1st Round

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum says his team was “relaxed” during last season’s first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks, and that he wanted to start out the 2024 playoffs with a more intense round against the Miami Heat.

Tatum got his wish, leading to the Celtics’ Wednesday night elimination of the Heat with a 118-84 Game 5 win.

“I wanted to play Miami in the sense that, maybe last year, playing against Atlanta, we might have relaxed a little bit,” Tatum said after the victory. “Knowing the history… with Miami, how hard they play, how well-coached they are, that, for a first-round matchup, regardless of the see