Tatum applies short-term memory

CELTICS NOTEBOOK

INDIANAPOLIS — Among other things, Jayson Tatum is learning to find motivation in everything.

Consider an interview the Celtics rookie had with NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin prior to the Celtics’ win over Memphis Saturday night, when the reporter brought up the subject of Tatum’s recent subpar shooting nights.

After he helped turn the game in a 16-0 fourth-quarter run, converting a midcourt steal into a dunk and burying a smooth 20-footer, Tatum had something to remind Chin about.

“Before the game, you proceeded to tell me how bad I’ve been playing the past few games, so I came out with a little extra fire to prove you wrong today,” Tatum said with a quiet smile. “I was just trying to be in attack mode and take what the defense was giving me, just trying to bounce back.”

Tatum finished with 19 points and team highs in rebounds (nine) and blocks (two) — the latter number tied with Daniel Theis. In the midst of the Celtics’ most grueling December in memory — they have played a league-high 32 games to compensate for a light January that includes a five-day trip to London for a game against the Sixers — the rookie is learning a lot about the NBA meat grinder.

Saturday night marked the Celtics’ fifth game in seven days. Tatum emerged from that stretch with a flourish.

“For him it’s his first time going through this kind of schedule,” Al Horford said. “We’ve already played 32 games — about as much as he played in college probably. He has to learn to make sure he’s taking care of himself off the court, getting as much rest as he can, but even still it’s going to be difficult — just the way the NBA is.”

Tatum seems to have a gift, though, for not letting a slump put a drag on his spirit.

“He does a great job of having short-term memory,” Horford said. “He puts it behind him. Even in games, he might start off a little slow and then he’ll pick it up. That’s a strength of his. Very rare for a rookie. A lot of times with rookies if things don’t go their way you can’t count on them, and mentally he’s very tough.”

He’s also learning to adjust in choppy conditions. As Tatum noted Saturday, teams are beginning to play him differently. They are now looking for ways to run him off the 3-point line.

Asked about Horford’s short-term memory comment, Tatum said, “When you play so many games I think you have to, no matter how bad or well you play. We play (tonight in Indiana) so we can’t think about this game.

“It’s tough, the traveling, the back-to-backs are still an adjustment, I’m still trying to get used to it. I’m just trying to grasp it as much as possible,” he said. “I don’t think we played that well (Friday) — I don’t think we had that much energy, our effort wasn’t there. (Saturday) we had that in mind, and we tried to put a complete game together.”

Emergency lineup

Coach Brad Stevens got creative with his lineup at the start of the fourth, with Horford and Tatum on the floor with reserves Shane Larkin, Terry Rozier and Theis for that 16-0 run.

Stevens admitted that if he had a healthy Marcus Morris, he may not have resorted to using the two starters with his reserves. But the combination had an immediate impact.

“It’s one of those things that’s probably going to go back and forth based on who’s available,” Stevens said. “Like, if Marcus Morris is here maybe you don’t play either of them with that group. But as long as Marcus Morris isn’t playing we need to be alert to that. And guys are going to have to play different rotations than they’re used to. That’s just part of it.”

Irving goes with flow

Kyrie Irving certainly hasn’t had a problem with playing five games in seven days.

“I’m excited. Any chance I get to play basketball, put my body to the test, it’s the best job in the world. So it is what it is. Thanks, NBA,” Irving said.