All-Star MVP Jayson Tatum turns focus onto Boston Celtics' NBA title bid

NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Jayson Tatum is turning his attention to the Boston Celtics' bid for an NBA title after scoring an All-Star Game record 55 points.Tatum made 22-of-31 shots from the floor, 10-of-18 from 3-point range, and added 10 rebounds and six assists to spark Team Giannis over Team LeBron 184-175.But with the showcase showdown behind him, the 24-year-old forward who is averaging 30.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists is now focused on sparking the NBA overall-leading Celtics to a crown."Now it's go time," Tatum said. "We've got to have one common goal and that's to win a championship. This was a good break for us mentally and physically, but it's time to get back to work."

Tatum, in his sixth NBA campaign, lifted the Celtics to the NBA Finals last season for the first time since 2010, although Boston lost to the Golden State Warriors.He has learned how important the final weeks of the regular season can be in the overall championship chase."Since I've been in the league, the team that has kind of clicked in this last stretch -- has kind of peaked and played their best of the season going into the playoffs -- usually is the team that wins it all, so this stretch is important," Tatum said."You want to be as healthy as possible going into the playoffs. You want to be playing your best basketball, individually and as a group, so that's what we're trying to do."At a league-best 42-17, the Celtics are just ahead of Milwaukee (41-17) atop the Eastern Conference with Philadelphia third at 38-19 followed in order by Cleveland and the Brooklyn Nets, who figure to sink after dealing away stars Kevin Durant to Phoenix and Kyrie Irving to Dallas.Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo played only a moment