Final: Celtics 119, Hornets 93 -- Tatum goes for career-high as C's roll

Jayson Tatum scored 22 of his career-high 39 points in the fourth quarter, helping the hosts turn a tight affair into a rout with a 35-16 run in the final frame as the hosts rolled to a 119-93 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. Tatum also posted the first 30-10 game of his career with 12 rebounds to go with his career-high 39 on 15/29 shooting from the field. Kemba Walker added 23 points and 4 assists while Jaylen Brown stuffed the box score with 16 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists to carry the scoring load for the shorthanded C's with Gordon Hayward (foot) and Marcus Smart (eye infection) still sidelined.

Boston's bench also saw some big contributors from the youngsters as Romeo Langford chipped in with eight points in a career-high 23 minutes while Grant Williams posted his second straight double-digit scoring game with 12 points. Devonte Graham had a team-high 23 points for the Hornets in the setback, who only scored 56 points over the final three quarters after erupting for 37 points in the opening frame.

The Celtics have now won three straight games overall and get two days off now before a Christmas day showdown with the defending champions in Toronto.

First Half Notes

TWO UP

Kemba Walker:  He was his efficient self against his former squad, leading the C’s in the first half with 15  points on 5-of-8 shooting.

Romeo Langford: Injuries have opened the door for minutes for the rookie swingman and he has taken advantage over the last two contests. After knocking down his first NBA basket on Friday night, Langford played nine productive first half minutes which included his first 3, a block and a couple of hustle plays that led to scoring chances for the C’s.

TWO DOWN

Celtics’ 3-point defense: Charlotte has one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA in Devonte Graham but you wouldn’t know it with the relaxed way the C’s defending him in the first half. He knocked down five 3s in the opening 24 minutes and led all scorers with 19 points at intermission as the Hornets went 7-of-12 from deep before the break.

Semi Ojeleye: Did not see action for the final 17 minutes of the first half after getting the start in the wake of a lackluster defensive start for the team.

• Hayward sat out his third straight game with a sore foot, but seems to be progressing towards a return on Christmas against the Raptors: "He had a pretty good workout this morning and felt better than he’s felt. I’ll say that he’s pretty close. Probably, I would guess, he’d be bumped up to probable after today."


• Marcus Smart is also feeling better despite being declared out for a fifth straight game with an eye infection. His return to the floor may drag toward later in the week after missing three weeks. "Marcus Smart is doing better. He was actually at the facility, or going to the facility tonight to get on the floor and shoot a little bit. He hasn’t been able to do anything physical for — you know, he missed the game against Miami, played against Denver, and then, but really since December 1st, that’s the only day he’s been out on a court. He’s going to get some shots up and assuming all goes well, we can work him out and start the process of coming back to play tomorrow."


• Old friend Terry Rozier is back in Boston to play his first regular-season game as a visitor. Despite leaving town, he is still keeping close tabs on his former teammates: "That's mandatory for me. I still got love for this city. I'm always following the guys, JT, JB, my young guys. Theis, that's my guy, that's one of my closest friends in the league. Smart. I'd be lying if I said I didn't. I'm always checking up on the guys, getting the updates and hoping they are doing great."


• With a win, the Celtics will move all by themselves into second place in the Eastern Conference.