Tatum, King of the Fourth Quarter, in win over Pelicans

Jayson Tatum was in "Top-5 Tatum" mode on Monday, scoring 12 of his game-high 27 points in the pivotal fourth quarter to help Boston win for the fifth time in its last six games.

No matter what the analytics numbers say, there’s one tried and true reality to the NBA.

The fourth quarter matters.

Players who step their game up during this critical juncture of time, are just built differently than most players.

Often it’s what happens in these moments that not only establish wins and losses, but help define a player’s identity beyond being just another player in the NBA.

Jayson Tatum has made no secret about wanting to be thought of as one of the all-time greats; not just now but eventually when his career is over.

It is a lofty goal, particularly one for someone who is just 23 years and very much in the infancy stages of his career.

But in order to be thought of in that light, he has to be better at lighting up teams when the game matters.

That’s what he did against the New Orleans Pelicans, helping lead a Celtics second-half rally from a double-digit deficit, to a 104-92 win.

Indeed, this was “Top-5 Tatum” on display, as he finished with a game-high 27 points which included 12 in the fourth quarter.

Tatum has often been criticized for not delivering in the clutch for Boston, despite averaging 6.7 points per game in the fourth which ranks fourth in the NBA among players who have seen action in at least 30 games.

But against the Pelicans, Tatum was more than just a scorer.

Tatum rebounded the basketball.

He found teammates for easy scores, with few looking better than the bounce pass he threw from near half-court to a cutting Aaron Nesmith who converted a traditional three-point play after getting fouled after his dunk.

Of course, the victory has to be put in perspective.

While the Pelicans have played better of late, they still rank among the NBA’s worst teams this season.

But this is part of Tatum’s journey towards being the generational talent so many view him as being; getting it done in a big way, against whatever team is on the floor against him and his Celtics.

Here are the other Stars as well as a few studs and duds in Boston’s win over the Pelicans, which gives them five in their last six games.

STARS

Jonas Valančiūnas: For most of Monday’s game, Jonas Valančiūnas was the best big man on the floor, getting the job done in a multitude of ways. After spending most of his career as a back-to-the-basket scorer, he has made the pivot so many of today’s big men have which is to shoot well enough away from the basket as well as near the rim. He turned in a strong showing for the Pelicans, tallying a double-double of 22 points and 14 rebounds to go with four assists.

STUDS

Jaylen Brown: The Brown-Tatum tandem is very much a work in progress. Part of that work involves working over the teams they are supposed to beat; teams like the Pelicans. Tatum was excellent in the role of closer, while Brown did most of his best work through the first three quarters. That is when he scored 18 of his 23 points. In addition to the scoring, Brown also had eight rebounds.

Dennis Schröder: These are the kind of games that, if you’re the Celtics, remind you why keeping Schröder around beyond the trade deadline, isn’t the worst non-decision you could make. He was very much into his scorer/playmaker bag today, tallying 23 points to go with nine assists with just two - yes, two - turnovers. It was one of the more complete games we have seen from the veteran guard this season.

DUDS

Celtics slow start: For those Boston Celtics fans who did not watch this game and only saw the final score, consider yourself fortunate. Boston fell behind by as many as 18 points and for far too many stretches on Monday, did not play with the fight, focus, or ferocity that has to become more consistent if they are to make any kind of serious headway towards the playoffs. They can get away with a lackluster beginning against teams like Pelicans who, truth be told, are not serious contenders for anything beyond the end of the regular season. But when you reflect upon this stretch they’re in with wins in five of their last six games, the lone loss was at Philadelphia, a game in which they got down early and never recovered. Their growth into being a more competitive team with the top-tier clubs in the East is dependent upon them being more consistent; not only in terms of Xs and Os but their effort and focus at the start of games.