Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum ready for familiar bounce back after struggling to score in Game 1

SAN FRANCISCO — Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum said he isn't spending time worrying about his 3-for-17 shooting performance in Game 1, saying it's not the first time he's had a bad game and that he's confident he'll bounce back in Game 2.

«Once you've done something before, you know how to respond,» Tatum said after Saturday's practice here at Chase Center ahead of Game 2 Sunday night. «I've had some bad shooting nights in the NBA. So it's like, 'I've been here before.' I know what to do next game.

»I think a lot of it is mental. You don't let it creep into your mind. I can't do nothing about what happened last game. I missed those shots and it is what it is. It's all about how to prepare and get ready for the next one."

Tatum has shown he's capable of bouncing back throughout these playoffs. Twice, Tatum has shot below 33 percent from the field — going 5-for-16 and scoring 19 points in Game 2 of Boston's first-round series with the Brooklyn Nets and going 4-for-19 and scoring 10 points in Game 3 of Boston's second-round series with the Milwaukee Bucks.

He then proceeded to respond with 39 points in Game 3 against Brooklyn and 30 points in Game 4 against Milwaukee.

But while Tatum struggled with his shot in Game 1, he was happy with the way he moved the ball. Tatum's playmaking has been a storyline all season, as it is one of the main areas coach Ime Udoka stressed he wanted to see the star forward improve when he took over the team last summer.

In Game 1, Tatum took what Golden State's defense gave him to the tune of 13 assists compared to just two turnovers.

«I had more assists than points last game,» said Tatum, who scored 12. «So I feel like I made the right play more often than not. You know, it's not much to