December 24, 2020 | 11:04 am
The Celtics won the exciting opening of the season against the Bucks on Wednesday, 122-121. Jayson Tatum swung the ball forward with 0.4 seconds remaining.
Winner of Tatum’s opening night game over Giannis 😤😤😤 pic.twitter.com/WhJh6Sqscl
– ESPN (@espn) December 24, 2020
Boston will play at Brooklyn Nets on Christmas Day at 5 pm
Elsewhere, the Bruins’ schedule for next season has been announced. Boston starts on January 14 against the New Jersey Devils.
Paul Pierce’s reaction to Jayson Tatum’s clutch stroke: Former Celtic Paul Pierce watched Tatum’s heroism at the end of the game – betting on a deep 3-pointer to give Boston the lead – and decided to weigh in on Twitter with a timely reference:
I didn’t call the bank I called the game # jt0
– Paul Pierce (@ paulpierce34) December 24, 2020
Pierce nailed the playoff winner for the Washington Wizards in 2015 in a bank attempt, declaring after he “called”.
Paul Pierce called GAME! 🚨👌#TeamDay | @WashWizards pic.twitter.com/pK7b3W5t2O
– NBA TV (@NBATV) August 22, 2019
Tatum explained after the season’s opening win on Wednesday that he knew his shot would hit the table, as he had to create more arc to overcome Bucks striker Giannis Antetokounmpo. But he admitted that he didn’t call “bank”.
“After letting go, I knew I was going to hit the table, but I wouldn’t say I tried,” Tatum told reporters after the game.
Curiosities: The Celtics dropped from No. 1 overall choice in 2017 to select Jayson Tatum in third. Which player was taken immediately after him with the fourth choice?
(Answer at the bottom).
Tip: he now plays for Pistons, his third NBA team.
More from Boston.com:
The chance that Jayson Tatum went ahead was special on the opening night:
Jayson Tatum’s chance for victory was his last three-point opener in a season for the past 25 seasons.
It is only the fourth green FG (two or three) to take place in the last second of an opening game of the season in the same period. pic.twitter.com/WXqDKcS4ik
– ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 24, 2020
One last page of the New York Daily News following James Harden’s news:
Here’s our @nydnsports last page, with @nyknicks come over. @ Houston Rockets #jamesharden @nba @nbanetwork @APSE_sportmedia @HoustonChron pic.twitter.com/PntTcXhBZx
– Back Page Guy NYDN (@BackPageGuyNYDN) December 24, 2020
In this day: In 2004, the Red Sox gave New England a holiday gift by rehiring newly crowned World Series champion Jason Varitek for a $ 40 million four-year contract. Boston also named him the team’s official captain, a rare distinction he shared with Jim Rice and Carl Yastrzemski.
Daily highlight: Buddy Hield rang the bell to give the Kings a dramatic 124-122 victory over the Nuggets on Wednesday. Hield celebrated by running straight into the locker room, followed by his teammates.
BUDDY HIELD. NO BUZZER. GAMES. pic.twitter.com/Xz9UDYWc6c
– Kings at NBCS (@NBCSKings) December 24, 2020
Trivial answer: Josh Jackson
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