### Celtics Rally in Overtime to Defeat Nets 109-104

The Boston Celtics welcomed the Brooklyn Nets f‍or their first meeting of the season on Friday night. In an effort to bounce back from a tough loss to the Golden State Warriors earlier in the week, the Celtics faced an equally determined Nets team. Despite an initial struggle, Boston eventually secured a hard-fought 109-104 overtime victory.

The game started disastrously for the Celtics as the Nets surged ahead with an early 16-2 run. Looking disorganized on both ends of the court, Boston seemed lost until Jrue Holiday stepped up. Holiday, who scored Boston's first seven points, including an impressive and-one layup, was instrumental in steadying the team. Though his performance was subtle, his ability to score during critical moments ignited the Celtics' offense and gave them a much-needed boost.

Meanwhile, Xavier Tillman had a night to forget. Given a starting role by Joe Mazzulla, he struggled both offensively and defensively, resulting in him being benched after just under six minutes of play, during which the Celtics were outscored by 14 points. Tillman's preseason promise seemed a distant memory as he shot 0-of-3 from the floor and appeared hesitant whenever he had the ball.

Payton Pritchard provided a similar lift off the bench in the second quarter as Holiday did in the first. With Boston still in a hole, Pritchard made critical plays, scoring 11 points on perfect shooting from the field, including two three-pointers. His contributions were vital in keeping Boston's comeback hopes alive, and he continued to shine in overtime with crucial buckets and free throws.

Jayson Tatum had a challenging first half but turned his game around after the break. His defensive lapses early on were compensated by a string of transition plays that ignited the team, culminating in a steal and slam dunk that rejuvenated Boston's effort. Tatum's playmaking and driving during the fourth quarter were essential as he evolved into the MVP-caliber player the Celtics needed to close out the game.

Boston’s shooting woes from beyond the arc were a significant factor in their early struggles. Notably, Sam Hauser's performance highlighted this issue. He went 2-of-10 from three-point range, missing key shots that could have maintained Boston's momentum. However, Hauser did redeem himself somewhat with a crucial three-pointer late in the fourth quarter.

In the end, a resilient performance by the Celtics, bolstered by key contributions from Jrue Holiday, Payton Pritchard, and a second-half revival from Jayson Tatum, allowed them to overcome the persistent Nets. The victory, defined by their ability to rally back and clinch the win in overtime, sets the tone for a promising season ahead.