Defending Champion Knicks Fall to 0-2 as Tatum Closes Out Celtics 107-103 Win

The defending champion New York Knicks are 0-2. Jayson Tatum scored 36 points, including the late baskets that mattered most, as the Boston Celtics held off New York 107-103 on Friday night at TD Garden. Boston improved to 1-1, while New York became the first defending champion to start 0-2 since Dallas opened 0-3 in the 2011-12 season.

Tatum takes over late

Boston led by as many as 12 points and was up 10 entering the fourth quarter, but New York kept coming back. The Knicks cut the lead to 99-98 on a Jalen Brunson fallaway jumper with 1:41 left, and the building got tense. Tatum answered, then hit a three pointer with about 30 seconds left to push Boston ahead 106-100 and end it.

Tatum finished with 36 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals, scoring 25 of his 36 points in the second half. Paul George and reserve Neemias Queta added 15 points each for Boston, and Derrick White chipped in 12.

The Knicks problems are specific

New York is not losing because of one bad night. Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 22 points and 10 rebounds, OG Anunoby had 20 points and 10 rebounds, Josh Hart had 10 points and 12 rebounds, and Deuce McBride scored 20 points off the bench. The problems are at the top of the rotation. Brunson scored 19 points but missed 10 of his 17 shots, following a disappointing opener in the loss to Philadelphia. Mikal Bridges went 0 for 8 on Friday and was benched for the final eight and a half minutes, and he is now 2 for 16 over the first two games.

New York can survive one cold shooter. It is much harder to survive when its lead guard and a key wing are both cold at the same time.

Saturday watch: Flagg injury shakes up the slate

Another Friday result will shape Saturday betting. Dallas beat Indiana 121-105 on Friday, but star Cooper Flagg left the game with a left shoulder injury after a flagrant foul by Aaron Nesmith on a breakaway. Dallas listed the injury as left shoulder soreness, coach Dusty May said Flagg would be evaluated over the coming days, and Friday evening listings had Flagg out for Saturday against San Antonio, with the Spurs favored by 10.5 and the total at 230.5. Check the injury report again before betting that game.

What It Means for Bettors

Do not panic on the Knicks after two games, and do not ignore what those two games showed either. Watch Bridges and Brunson shooting before backing the Knicks at a short price. For Saturday, treat the Mavericks and Spurs number as injury dependent: if Flagg is confirmed out, the case for San Antonio strengthens, but a double digit spread on a back to back still demands a good price.

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