Celtics beat defending champion Knicks 107-103 as Jayson Tatum scores 36

The Boston Celtics beat the New York Knicks 107-103 at TD Garden on Friday night (US time; tip-off 11pm GMT Friday 23 October). Jayson Tatum scored 36 points, 25 of them in the second half, including seven of Boston’s final eight points, according to AP.

The Knicks, the reigning NBA champions, are 0-2 after losing their season opener to the Philadelphia 76ers. Boston are 1-1.

Score by quarter (ESPN): Knicks 27-22-24-30, Celtics 26-24-33-24.

How it finished

The game had 12 lead changes and four ties, AP reported. Boston led 50-49 at half-time and outscored New York 33-24 in the third quarter to lead by 10 going into the fourth.

The Celtics led by as many as 12 at 91-79 before a 12-3 Knicks run, finished by a Karl-Anthony Towns putback dunk, cut the gap to 94-91. A Josh Hart three-pointer made it 99-96, and Jalen Brunson’s floater after a Neemias Queta turnover brought New York within one possession again, according to AP. Tatum answered with a 19-foot jumper for a 101-98 lead with 1:11 left and, after OG Anunoby’s free throws, hit a three-pointer from the wing.

Tatum finished with 36 points, nine rebounds and seven assists on 14-of-26 shooting, according to the box score. Paul George and Queta added 15 points each, and Derrick White had 12 points and six assists.

Knicks

Towns led five New York players in double figures with 22 points and 10 rebounds on 9-of-13 shooting. Anunoby had 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, Miles “Deuce” McBride scored 20 off six three-pointers and Brunson added 19. Hart had 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Mitchell Robinson, who helped New York win last season’s title and was the only member of their regular rotation not to return, finished with four points, four rebounds and a block against his former team in his first meeting with them, AP said.

The Knicks host the Orlando Magic on Sunday and the Celtics host the Chicago Bulls on Monday (US time).

See also: NBA opening night: Pistons beat Celtics 121-113 despite Paul George’s 38.