Celtics

Even MVP candidates There are terrible shooting nights in some places throughout the season.

Friday night's contest against the Wizards simply wasn't Jayson Tatum's night. He went 0-for-10 from 3-point range and 6-for-19 from the sector.

The Celtics got off to a slow start overall and kept the Wizards waiting too long, but were ultimately in a position to overcome Tatum's bad night. They beat Washington by 12.

Tatum bounced back against the Timberwolves on Sunday at TD Garden, where he made five of his 12 3-point attempts.

When asked if he modified his routine in any respect to handle the problems, Tatum shook his head and said no.

“Sometimes that (expletive) just doesn’t go in,” Tatum said. “I didn’t do anything extra. We had a day off yesterday. I chilled with Deuce all day. I just came, excited to play again. I know I wouldn’t go 0-for-10 tonight, so it all evens out.”

Tatum ended up shooting 8 of 21 from the sector, which remains to be below his season average of 44 percent this season.

But he's had more success along with his outside game, something he's worked hard on since his 3-point shooting woes throughout the Celtics' postseason run to the championship last summer.

Tatum's field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, and free throw percentage this season are all barely below his profession average, but that's a fairly small sample considering the season isn't even 1 / 4 over yet is.

Tatum, now in his eighth season, says his experience has given him the flexibility to place slumping filming into perspective.

“I think earlier in my career it would have bothered me a lot more,” Tatum said. “You just understand there’s so much more basketball to play. So many games. In those moments it feels like you're the only one missing a shot, but every great player, every great shooter goes through weaknesses or has had nights where they couldn't get a shot off.

“They’re always reacting or reacting,” he added. “I think as I’ve gotten older it’s become easier to deal with or live with moments like that as my career has progressed and more difficult filming nights have occurred.”