Tatum makes Celtics history in epic comeback

Jayson Tatum scored a career-high 60 points as the Boston Celtics stormed back from a 32-point first half deficit for a 143-140 overtime win over the San Antonio Spurs at the Boston Garden.

Tatum’s point total equalled Boston icon Larry Bird for the most points scored in a game in Celtic’s history and he is the second youngest player ever in the NBA behind Devin Booker to post a 60-point game.

“It’s a surreal feeling,” Tatum said of owning the franchise record with Bird. “Maybe tomorrow I will realise how special it is.”

The 23-year-old Tatum made four free throws in the final 12 seconds of overtime for the Celtics who roared back from a 29-point halftime deficit to level the score halfway through the fourth quarter on Friday night. Tatum’s previous career best was 53 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 9.

Tatum hit a three pointer with 38 seconds left in the fourth to give the Celtics their first lead 127-126 since early in the first quarter.

Tatum drained another free throw with 18 seconds to play to give the Celtics’ a two point lead, but San Antonio’s DeMar DeRozan tied the game with 10 seconds to go to set the stage for a thrilling overtime.

“That was a tough one,” Tatum said. “This game is what being a Celtic is all about. Never quit, never giving up. To be down 30 and come back in overtime and win, there is nothing like it.”

In New York, Damian Lillard finished with 32 points and nine assists to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a convincing 128-109 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

Elsewhere, the Philadelphia 76ers used a balance attack to beat the Atlanta Hawks for the second consecutive game as seven players hit double figures in a 126-104 victory.

In Phoenix, Booker scored 31 points, Mikal Bridges added 18 and the Phoenix Suns beat the Utah Jazz 121-100 to move into a tie for the top spot in the Western Conference. (AFP)