A series of mistakes caused the Celtics to nearly blow a 5-point lead with 20 seconds left, but CJ McCollum’s potential winning layup clanged off the rim.

One of the NBA’s worst teams nearly knocked off the Celtics on their home floor Sunday. Boston trailed the lowly New Orleans Pelicans late in the fourth quarter and needed a last-second stop to escape with a 120-119 victory at TD Garden.

Jayson Tatum ’s big night helped the Celtics escape with a harrowing 120-119 win over the Pelicans on Sunday. Here are the takeaways. Jayson Tatum lifted the Celtics to a win.

Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics squeaked past the New Orleans Pelicans Sunday afternoon with a 120-119 home win