Jayson Tatum Hits Overtime Winner as Celtics Edge Nets 125-124

Tatum delivers in overtime

Jayson Tatum sank a 17 foot jumper at the overtime buzzer to give Boston a 125-124 victory against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night. The win marked the third straight victory for the Celtics.

Tatum finished with 40 points, shooting 10 of 20 from the field and 18 of 22 from the free throw line. It was his first 40 point game since returning in March from a torn right Achilles. He joined Larry Bird as the only players in Celtics history to score 40 points and hit a buzzer beater in the same game.

The shot was Tatum's third career buzzer beater. That ties Bill Sharman for third most in team history behind Paul Pierce with six and Bird with four. Tatum also became the first player in NBA history to record 40 points and a game winning buzzer beater in a game before November.

Late drama and key performances

Paul George scored 20 points and Derrick White added 16 points for Boston. The Celtics have won three in a row since dropping their season opener at Detroit, where they blew a 22 point lead.

Michael Porter Jr. led Brooklyn with 27 points and 12 rebounds. Julius Randle scored 24 points. Brooklyn dropped to 0-4, starting 0-4 in back to back seasons for the first time in franchise history.

Nets rookie Mikel Brown Jr., the sixth pick out of Louisville, scored 17 points. He made a tying 3 point shot with 0.2 seconds left in regulation. In overtime, Brown missed a layup with 2.3 seconds left, setting up Tatum's game winner. Mitchell Robinson missed two free throws for Boston with three seconds remaining in regulation. Robinson, a career 50.7 percent free throw shooter, went 1 of 4 from the line and is 2 of 8 this season.

How the game played out

Neither team led by more than eight points in the game. Brooklyn went ahead 109-104 after a Randle basket with 2:57 left in regulation before Boston fought back. White scored a tiebreaking dunk off a pass from Tatum with 33.7 seconds remaining in regulation and converted the free throw to put Boston up 114-111.

Boston struggled from long distance early, making 2 of 16 3 point attempts in the first half while trailing 61-56 at halftime. The Celtics improved in the second half, making 9 of 22 attempts from deep.

What it means for the next game

Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics (NBA, Fri, 30 Oct): Boston Celtics win 83%, Chicago Bulls win 17%; projected score Boston Celtics 123, Chicago Bulls 110. Our safest pick: Celtics to win.

Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic (NBA, Sun, 01 Nov): Orlando Magic win 32%, Boston Celtics win 68%; projected score Orlando Magic 109, Boston Celtics 115. Our safest pick: Magic +13.5.