Jayson Tatum scores 36 and takes over late as the Celtics hold off the champion Knicks 107-103

Jayson Tatum scored 25 of his 36 points in the second half, including seven of Boston's final eight, as the Celtics held off the defending champion New York Knicks 107-103 on Friday night in Boston.

Paul George and Neemias Queta added 15 points apiece for the Celtics, who survived a late Knicks push in a scrappy game with 12 lead changes and four ties.

New York fell to 0-2 after also losing its opener to the Philadelphia 76ers. Karl-Anthony Towns led five Knicks in double figures with 22 points. OG Anunoby had 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Deuce McBride scored 20 and Jalen Brunson added 19.

Tatum closes it out

Boston outscored New York 33-24 in the third quarter to turn a one-point halftime lead into a 10-point cushion. The lead grew to 91-79 before the Knicks answered with a 12-3 run, capped by a Towns putback dunk that made it 94-91.

Josh Hart's 3-pointer later cut the gap to 99-96. After a Boston turnover Brunson hit a floater to pull New York within one.

Tatum had the answers. He hit a 19-footer to make it 101-98 with 1:11 left. After Anunoby made two free throws to get New York back within three, Tatum drained a 3 from the wing.

Robinson meets his old team

Mitchell Robinson played his first game against the Knicks team he helped win last season's title. He was the only member of New York's regular rotation who did not return. Early foul trouble held him to four points and four rebounds.

He still made his mark in the fourth quarter. Robinson blocked a Towns layup and then finished an alley-oop from Derrick White at the other end.

Up next

The Knicks host the Orlando Magic on Sunday. The Celtics host the Chicago Bulls on Monday.