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BOSTON -- Jayson Tatum is used to seeing a wide swath of fans cheering on the Celtics at the TD Garden.
But that fandom is on another level when the cheering comes from Celtics legend Paul Pierce.
Pierce, who said he was in attendance doing some work for ESPN, has been a big fan of Tatum ever since the Celtics selected the forward on draft night in 2017.
And as the Celtics rallied for a 116-105 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, Tatum's strong third-quarter performance was instrumental in the win, the C's third in a row after they dropped their season-opener.
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The 6-foot-9 forward finished with 25 points, 11 of which came in the third quarter as the Celtics outscored the Bucks, 38-18.
It was also Tatum’s most efficient game of the season in terms of shooting, as he went 10-for-22 from the field.
And Pierce loved every moment of it, even going so far as to high-five Tatum following a Tatum 3-pointer that clearly shifted the momentum in favor of the Celtics.
"It was crazy,” said Tatum who added, “Anytime he comes to the game, he gives us energy.”
Since becoming a Celtic, the two have talked from time to time while establishing a relationship that, like Tatum's game, is still growing.
"I talked to him before [Wednesday’s] game," Said Tatum who added, "Just seeing somebody like him, standing up, cheering."
And being demanding; at least when it came to getting a high-five from Tatum.
“It was a great moment," Tatum said.
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