Final: Celtics 104, Knicks 102 -- Tatum delivers gamewinner

The shorthanded Celtics got a bit of a surprise fight from one of the worst teams in the league on Friday night but got just enough offense from Kemba Walker and company to squeeze out their fourth straight win. Kemba Walker scored 21 of his game-high 31 points in the second half while adding 6 rebounds and 5 assists to help the C's to a 104-102 victory, but it was Jayson Tatum (24 points) that finished things off with a game-winning turnaround with just 1.3 seconds left on the clock. The jumper atoned for a rough final 20 seconds for the C's as they were on the verge of blowing a five-point lead and heading into overtime after Marcus Morris (29 points) scored seven straight points for the Knicks in the final minute. Tatum delivered a turnaround jumper off the inbounds from Marcus Smart and Boston knocked away the Knicks' final chance at a shot with 1.3 seconds remaining.

The Celtics have now won four straight games overall and improve to 4-1 on the season with the victory. That's their best start of the Brad Stevens era and best overall since the 2010-11 season. 

First Half Notes 

 

• 12-5 edge in rebounds for the Knicks over the first eight minutes.


• Stagnant offense besides drives to the rim for the C's


• Grant Williams with a team-high 8 points in the first quarter but he still has yet to make a 3


• No one in the starting five scores more than four points in first quarter.


• Knicks grab nine offensive rebounds in the early going, grabbing second chance opportunities on 56 percent of their misses.


• Wanamaker with a nice lefty drive to start second quarter. He's got a team-high three assists in 8 minutes.


• Edwards has missed two pullup 3s, still no rhythm as he misses his three shots of the game. Rough start of his career for hi,


• Knicks have piled up 10 offensive rebounds in the first 13 minutes, nearly matching the C’s total as a team (13).


• C’s open the game 2-of-10 from 3-point range.


• Tatum keeping the C's offense afloat in the second quarter with three makes from downtown. He's up to a team-high 13 points.


• Hayward with a rough half (2 points in 16 minutes).

• Celtics Notebook: Enes Kanter (knee) out, Jaylen Brown (illness) and Robert Williams (hip) doubtful against Knicks


• The Celtics recalled Tacko Fall from Maine before the game with Rob Williams and Enes Kanter both declared out. This will be the first of his 45 days permitted with the C's on a two-way deal.