Last time the Celtics saw Anthony Edwards he erupted for 38 points and willed his team to a dramatic overtime win. It turned out to be a preview of things to come for him and his first-place Minnesota Timberwolves, who came into the week first in the Western Conference.

Two months later the Celtics still had no answer for the talented 22-year-old, but in the end the Timberwolves had no answer for Jayson Tatum either.

Trailing by seven with 2:46 to play, Tatum led the Celtics on a 9-0 run to flip the script and force overtime against Minnesota for the second time this season. Then in overtime he scored nine straight points to effectively finish the game, punctuating his massive 45-point night with a three-pointer to close out the eventual 127-120 win.

Jaylen Brown also finished with 35 points and 11 rebounds, and collectively the Celtics went 28 for 29 at the free throw line in one of their best wins of the season.

Things started well for Boston, who jumped out to an early lead and threatened to turn the game into a blowout at points. The Celtics led by 10 late in the first and by nine midway through the second, but Minnesota was able to keep within striking distance thanks in large part to Naz Reid, who finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds off the bench and made big plays to help erase both early deficits before things got out of hand.

Edwards, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, made his mark early as well and in the final minute of the first half he showed off his gifts with a tough fadeaway jumper and then a dunk in transition off a Karl-Anthony Towns steal to turn a five-point deficit into a 54-53 Celtics lead at halftime.

That burst proved crucial, because while not as bad as Monday’s 44-point debacle against Indiana, Boston’s third quarter troubles continued against Minnesota.

The Timberwolves outscored the Celtics 32-25 in the frame, taking their first lead of the game on the quarter’s opening possession before eventually stretching the lead to six. Edwards led the charge, scoring a huge three to put Minnesota ahead five before later hitting a pair of free throws to make it 85-79 going into the fourth quarter.

Minnesota kept the Celtics at bay from there, staving off back-to-back three-pointers from Sam Hauser and huge triples from Tatum and Horford to maintain a two-possession lead. Things looked especially bleak when Nickeil Alexander-Walker knocked down a three to make it 109-102 with 2:46 to play, but then Tatum took over and willed the team back.

Tatum finished regulation with six straight points, knocking down a driving layup, a three and a free throw to cut the deficit to one. Derrick White grabbed the rebound on Tatum’s missed free throw to keep possession, and then the ball found its way to Jrue Holiday, who knocked down the go-ahead three to give Boston back the lead.

Edwards was fouled the other end and made both of his free throws to tie it up, and Tatum’s would-be game-winner didn’t fall at the buzzer, sending the game to overtime tied 111-111.

Once there it was back and forth some more, with Towns and Alexander-Walker each hitting threes while Brown hit four straight free throws. Alexander-Walker’s triple made it 120-118 Minnesota, but from that point on it was all Tatum, who tied the game with a pair of free throws, finished a brilliant drive and layup to give Boston the lead, and then after a Holiday steal iced things with a backbreaking three.

Tatum wrapped up his epic game with a pair of free throws, earning “MVP” chants from the crowd as he closed out the night.

Edwards finished with 29 points for Minnesota and Towns had 25. Holiday had 12 points, five rebounds and four assists and Luke Kornet had eight points and five rebounds off the bench.

Boston won’t have long to savor this one, however, as the team is set to hit the road to face the Milwaukee Bucks on the second half of their back-to-back Thursday night. That game will tip off at 7:30 p.m.