TIP OFF 1:00 p.m @ Spectrum Center
RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub
TV: ESPN, NBC Sports Boston
Predicted Starting Lineups
Celtics
G: Kemba Walker
G: Marcus Smart
SF: Jaylen Brown
PF: Jayson Tatum
C: Tristan Thompson
G: Kemba Walker
G: Marcus Smart
SF: Jaylen Brown
PF: Jayson Tatum
C: Tristan Thompson
Hornets
G: Terry Rozier
G: Devonte' Graham
SF: Miles Bridges
PF: Jalen McDaniels
C: PJ Washington
G: Terry Rozier
G: Devonte' Graham
SF: Miles Bridges
PF: Jalen McDaniels
C: PJ Washington
LIVE COVERAGE,
Fourth quarter
- The Celtics seem like they're falling apart now. Jayson Tatum had a 3-pointer go halfway down and he missed a contested shot at the rim, and Charlotte is getting out in transition and scoring. The defense continues to be atrocious
- The Celtics are 2-14 shooting in this quarter.
- The Celtics went four minutes without scoring.
- Charlotte has pushed the lead past 20 and the starters are off the floor. It's garbage time now. What a horrible loss for the Celtics
Third quarter
- The Celtics came out with more energy but Charlotte has matched that and is still blistering hot from 3. They're up to 14-27 from deep
- The Celtics got two straight 3's and four free throws from Marcus Smart for a personal 10-2 run. A Jaylen Brown steal and layup cut the lead back down to 9
- The Celtics have been attacking and it's been paying off. Brown got especially aggressive, and carried the scoring load after Smart cooled off
- Kemba Walker hit a couple of pull up 3's, and Boston continues to hover around the 9 point deficit. They need some defensive stops
- An absolute disaster of a final possession for Boston. Marcus Smart turned the ball over looking for a foul and Miles Bridges hit a buzzer beater, so instead of the Celtics cutting it to 7 or even 6, it's a 12 point deficit heading into the 4th
Second quarter
- The Celtics are asleep defensively. Evan Fournier and Jaylen Brown each lost track of their guys, and each time they ended with dunks.
- Kemba Walker came to a jump stop and held his left side just above his hip and immediately ran into the locker room
- The Hornets are shooting the lights out while he Celtics are settling for is0-ball. This is a real regression to their worst basketball
- Aaron Nesmith and Jaylen Brown each hit 3's to get the lead back down to 12.
- Kemba Walker is out of the locker room and will return
- The Celtics finished the quarter outscoring Charlotte 9-3 and going into the half only down 11. This is remarkable considering how poorly they've played
First quarter
- The Celtics are getting to the basket against Charlotte's small frontcourt. Tristan Thompson is the biggest beneficiary so far.
- The Celtics showed how lazy they can be with the ball with one of the worst turnovers you'll see that led to a Terry Rozier layup.
- Charlotte came out hot. They went up 21-8 on perfect 5-5 shooting from 3
- The Celtics have stopped the bleeding and are finally making some shots. Grant Williams' offensive rebound and 3-pointer capped a 7-2 mini-run.
- The Celtics fell behind by 14, but Jabari Parker hit two free throws and threw down a nice feed from Williams to cut it to 10
Preview by Jack Simone, CLNS Media
- Point Spread: Celtics -8
- Over-Under: 211.5 points
- Money line: Celtics -325, Hornets +270
The Skinny
Prediction
The Celtics took on this Hornets team not too long ago and blew them out 116-86. To replicate that success, taking care of the basketball will be the number one priority. Boston had 19 turnovers against Brooklyn the other night, and it killed them. When they blew out the Hornets at the beginning of April, they only had six. Charlotte loves to get out and run, so the Celtics cannot get sloppy with the ball.
"We have to be even more possession-oriented than we are," Brad Stevens said. "Certainly in specific games where you're playing a team that's great going on runs, or on those games where you are a little short-handed. You can't throw the ball all over the gym and expect to have a chance."
Another interesting thing to note is Charlotte’s center rotation. Hornets coach James Borrego has been starting rookie Vernon Carey a lot lately and giving PJ Washington tons of minutes at the five. Tristan Thompson could have a solid opportunity to scrap down low and get the Celtics some extra possessions. He has been great lately, so hopefully, this will be another opportunity to show his value.
Lastly, the Celtics will have the best two players on the floor for this game. Tatum broke out of his shooting slump last game, and Brown was on fire before being sidelined. They should be free to attack on the offensive end and need to take advantage of it. Expect big games from one, if not both of them.
Celtics 121, Hornets 105