Jayson Tatum banked in a three-pointer with 0.4 seconds left Wednesday night, lifting the Boston Celtics to a 122-121 win over the Milwaukee Bucks in the season opener for both teams at TD Garden in Boston.
It was back and forth early as both teams held a lead, but Milwaukee held three nine point leads in the first two quarters. Boston though overcame that, and when Jaylen Brown knocked down a three-pointer late in the second the Celtics would take a five point halftime lead at 64-59. Brown and Tatum caught fire in the third quarter scoring 22 of the teams 32, with Tatum knocking in a late three-pointer to give the hosts the biggest lead of the night 101-84 headed for the fourth. The Bucks had the answer though as Giannis Antetokoumpo dominated the final period scoring 18 of his 35, and putting Milwaukee back into the lead with a turnaround jumper with 3:26 left at 115-113. After Boston took a 119-117 lead on a Tatum jumper, Jrue Holiday put the visitors back up by one with a three-pointer at the 1:10 mark. Tatum would have the biggest shot of the night with the score still the same with 22.7 seconds remaining. Tatum would fade away and bank in a three over Antetokoumpo from the left wing with under a half second showing on the clock for a two point lead. Antetokoumpo had one final chance after a timeout and on the ensuing inbounds pass, as he was fouled by Tristan Thompson on an ally-oop pass to the rim. He made the first free throw, but would miss the second and the rebound was knocked away as the buzzer sounded.
Brown led five players in double figures in the Boston win with 33 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Tatum finished with 30 points and seven rebounds. Free agent acquisition Jeff Teague added 19 points and four assists, while Thompson (12 pts, 8 reb) and Theis (10 pts) rounded out the double digit scorers. Antetokoumpo added 13 rebounds for the double double in the loss. Khris Middleton had 27 points, and Holiday had 25. The Celtics honored former player, coach, and broadcaster Tom Heinsohn before the game. Heinsohn died on November 9 at the age of 86. He was a part of every single one of the 16 championships for the franchise. Boston will host Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets Christmas Day at 5 p.m.
