Tatum, Morris lead Celtics to season- opening victory

BOSTON — Jayson Tatum had 23 points and nine rebounds, and the Boston Celtics outlasted the Philadelphia 76ers 105-87 on Tuesday night in the season opener for both teams.

Marcus Morris added 16 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Al Horford had nine points and five blocks.

The Celtics survived a lethargic start and rough shooting night but rallied to lead by as many as 18 in the second half.

Boston won despite shooting just 43 percent ( 42 of 97) from the field and 30 percent from the 3-point line ( 11 of 37).

But the Celtics’ struggles didn’t dampen the mood inside TD Garden for the return to regularseason action for Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving. Boston Celtics’ Gordon Hayward drives past Philadelphia 76ers’ Dario Saric during the first half Tuesday in Boston. The Celtics won 105-87. RECORD-TYING 42 COUNTRIES REPRESENTED ON ROSTERS: NBA rosters have players from a record-tying 42 countries and territories to open this season. This is the fifth consecutive season in which all 30 teams have at least one international player on the opening-night roster. Canada is represented by 11 of the 108 openingnight international players while Australia and France have nine. The Dallas Mavericks have the most international players — seven. WNBA’S TOLIVER HIRED BY WIZARDS AS ASSISTANT: WNBA All-Star Kristi Toliver will be an assistant coach for player development for the NBA’s Washington Wizards this season. Toliver’s job was one of several changes to coach Scott Brooks’ staff announced by the Wizards on Tuesday, two days before they host the Miami Heat to open the season.