In a strong showing, the Boston Celtics defeated the Charlotte Hornets 113-103 at the Spectrum Center, marking their second consecutive victory against Charlotte within 24 hours. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 29 points, while Payton Pritchard contributed significantly with 22 points, including six three-pointers. Derrick White also played a vital role, scoring 18 points and securing eight rebounds as Boston improved their record to 6-1.
LaMelo Ball had a standout performance for the Hornets, scoring 36 points on 15-of-26 shooting, but faced challenges with foul trouble, ultimately fouling out for the second game in a row. Brandon Miller returned from a strained glute to add 16 points for Charlotte. Notably, Tatum struggled with his three-point shooting, making just 1 of 9 attempts, yet he was effective at the free-throw line, hitting 14 of 17.
The game saw no significant incidents despite a previous ejection of Boston player Grant Williams after a flagrant foul against Tatum.
While the Celtics played without Jaylen Brown due to a hip flexor strain, their depth proved advantageous, allowing them to build an impressive 19-point lead during the game. The Hornets, on the other hand, need to address Ball’s foul management as his absence on the court has clearly impacted their performance.
A pivotal moment occurred when the Hornets surged in the third quarter, only for Jrue Holiday to hit a crucial three-pointer, stabilizing Boston’s lead and helping maintain control of the game.
The Celtics dominated the rebounding battle, pulling down 44 rebounds compared to Charlotte’s 34, a clear indicator of their superior play in the paint, especially with the Hornets missing their top two centers.
Looking ahead, the Celtics will travel to Atlanta for their next game on Monday night, while the Hornets will visit Minnesota on the same night.
Overall, the Celtics demonstrated resilience and teamwork in the face of injury, positioning themselves as strong contenders early in the season. The Hornets, while facing challenges, have promising talent and will be looking to bounce back in their upcoming matchup.