Final: Celtics 122, Hornets 106 - Tatum, Brogdon combine for 66

Game 44: Celtics (-8) at Charlotte Hornets, 7:00 p.m., Spectrum Center, NBCS Boston

Injuries: 

Boston: OUT- Danilo Gallinari, Jaylen Brown (groin). QUESTIONABLE- Malcolm Brogdon (personal reasons)

Charlotte: OUT-  Kelly Oubre (hand), Gordon Hayward (hamstring)

Hornets projected starting lineup: LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Mason Plumlee, PJ Washington, Jalen McDaniels

Refs: Ed Malloy (#14), Justin Van Duyne (#64), Derrick Collins (#11)

Last time they played: Celtics 140, Hornets 105, November 28 - The Celtics stormed out of the gates, dropped a giant hammer on the Hornets, and never really looked back. Jayson Tatum had 22 points by halftime, 35 in the game, the Celtics moved the ball, buried shots, got up by as much as 42, and cruised to a 35 point win. 

A little something about this game: Charlotte is challenging Houston for ‘worst team in the league’ status. They are equally as bad at home (5-14) as they are on the road (6-18). They have the fourth-worst point differential in the league, the fourth-worst defensive rating, and the worst offensive rating. They have lost three in a row, six of their last seven, and eight of their last 10. They have won two straight games just once. Boston enters the game with the league’s second-best offensive rating and sixth-best defensive rating.

How the Celtics win: I don’t want to be reductive here, but the Celtics just need to play good basketball. Charlotte’s halfcourt offense and defense is awful, so get to the rim and live at the line. Tatum should take 15 free throws in this game. 

Defensively, Charlotte loves to attack, but they're terrible at finishing, so contest their drives and attempts at the rim and then run off that. Missed layups are great for easy defensive buckets because it usually leads to odd-man breaks. 

How the Hornets win: Finishing at the rim would be a good start. They take fewer 3-pointers in wins because they're able to get to the rim and finish. If the Celtics are lazy with the ball, then Charlotte can get off and running and pile up some easy points. Once they do that, the confidence can lead to made jumpers and Boston will be in trouble. 

Things I’m looking for:

Focus and effort: The Celtics have a clear history of playing down to bad teams like this, so I’d like to see them come out strong early and do what they did in the last game. This isn’t a team that's going to make many comebacks, so win the first quarter by 20 and then cruise. 

Tatum bounceback: He’s probably not thrilled with the national TV performance he gave the other night. Yes, he did other things and made plays for others, but he also tossed up a few airballs. This defense won’t be nearly as hounding as Brooklyn’s, so Tatum might be on the hunt for a 50-piece.

Second unit performance: If Brogdon is out tonight, I’m very curious to see how Joe Mazzulla structures his lineups. My guess: this is an opportunity to go with the double-big lineup at the start and move Derrick White to the bench. 

Want to pass the time before the game? Here's my Locked On Celtics podcast after the win over Brooklyn:

Follow along below or in the comments during the game, chime in, and let’s have fun.