On January 11, Beijing time, the battle for the top of the list,The Celtics beat the Timberwolves 127-120 at home.
In the last meeting of the two games, the difference in the whole game did not exceed 8 points, and the Timberwolves finally won 114-109 in overtime; This time at the Celtics' home court, the game was still deadlocked, the full-time score difference did not exceed 10 points, and it was also through overtime to decide the winner, after winning this victory, the Celtics lost 18-0 at home.
In the crucial overtime, Tatum completed his dominance with 5 minutes of timeHe scored 12 points on 3-of-4 shooting, 1-of-1 three-pointer and 5-of-5 free throws, leading the Celtics to a 16-9 run; One minute before the end, the Celtics and Timberwolves were tied 120-120Tatum hit a layup and then a three-pointerto kill the game directly. 
Further back, in the fourth quarter, it was also Tatum, who scored 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting, 2-of-3 three-pointers, and 2-of-3 free throws in the single quarter. 
In the whole game, Tatum played a total of 42 minutesHe finished with 45 points, four rebounds and two assists on 13-of-26 shooting, 6-of-11 three-pointers and 13-of-14 free throws, 45 points is the highest in the game, and it also equals Tatum's personal high this season, considering that the opponent is the Timberwolves, who are the league's No. 1 defensive efficiency this season, the gold content is self-evident. 
Tatum has been on a hot streak lately, and in the last game he played, the Celtics defeated the Pacers 118-101 to end the opponent's six-game winning streak, and Tatum had 15 points and 5 rebounds in the fourth quarterFull timeHe was 14-of-23 from the field and 8-of-13 from three-point range, finishing with 38 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists, plus/minus +19, first on the team. Tatum's performance so far this season: Played in 34 games, averaging per game28.0 points 85 rebounds 45 assists 10 steals, 48 three-point shooting0%/37.4%/81.5%, true hit rate 613%, sixth in the league in scoring. 
Because of the arrival of Porzingis, Tatum's scoring has decreased compared to last season, but his efficiency has improved to a certain extentAt present, the shooting percentage and true shooting percentage are both the highest in their careers, the three-point shooting percentage is the highest in the past three years. Although the style of play is still on the side of the ball, Tatum is indeed a very good scorer, and his form is getting better and better as the season progressesIn the past eight games, he has averaged 31 per game2 pointsThe Celtics have a 7-1 record and their only loss to the Thunder. 
The Celtics are very strong, and the beginning has almost been the No. 1 record in the East, this team has decreased in rotation depth compared to last year, but it is still the top in the league, and Tatum as the core of the team, the role is naturally needless to say, season so far: - when Tatum is on the courtThe Celtics scored 121 points per 100 possessions1 point, a net win over the opponent 120 points- Tatum is not presentThe Celtics scored 116 points per 100 possessions4 points, a goal difference of 63 pointsCurrently Tatum'sThe cumulative plus/minus is +316, which ranks second in the league, even better than Jokic (+307), and taller than him is only his teammate Derrick White (+357). 
It is worth mentioning that the core five of CelticTatum + Brown + Porzingis + Derrick White + Holiday, five people are on the field at the same time, and the Celtics can hit 121 in 100 rounds2 points, conceded only 1036 points, 17 net outfits opponents6 points, pretty crazy. 
Back to Tatum, due to the abnormal performance of the 2022 Finals, Tatum is still unreliable at critical moments in the impression of many fans, objectively speaking, he has indeed been abnormal in some important games, but he has also had a lot of highlights, and the 51 points in the second round of last season are masterpieces.
The reason for this super-god and super-ghost situation is mainly because Tatum relies too much on the magic ball, and he lacks a reliable means of scoring at critical moments, such as one-step speed, crushing physical fitness or killing mid-range, and because of this, many people are not optimistic about Tatum and the Celtics. His shortcomings are real, but Tatum's strengths cannot be ignored either, in addition to the feeling that no one can stop when he explodes, he is also very good on the defensive end, and he can be called an offensive and defensive one. And don't forget, Tatum is only 25 years old, but he has played in the Eastern Conference Finals 4 times, has a Finals experience, and has been selected for 2 first-team selections, 1 three-team, and 4-time All-Star.
Personally, I think Tatum is missing a key honor now, but from the current point of view, he can't compare to Embiid, Jokic, and Alexander in this season's MVP competition.
This year's Celtics are definitely stronger than last year, and their core quintet is worthy of any team in the league, in other wordsTatum has probably the best teammate of his career so farHopefully, in a few months' time, he won't disappoint in the playoffs.