Behind 41 Points from Jayson Tatum, The Celtics Rallied To Beat The Hornets 140-129 In Overtime

 

    They are still probably not NBA title contenders but if the first four games are any indication, the Celtics (2-2 overall, 2-1 away) are going to be wildly entertaining to watch this season. Tonight in the second half of a back-to-back on the road, Boston was able to come away with a crazy 140-129 overtime victory at Charlotte's (3-1 overall, 1-1 home) Spectrum Center. Just to get to overtime, they had to close on a 20-8 run after the Hornets took a 114-102 lead midway through the final quarter. The C's had won their first game of the season 107-97 last night in Houston (1-2) but given the higher caliber opponent, this was a much more impressive result. Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum led the way with 41 points (his 9th career 40+ point game), eight assists and seven rebounds while Boston's other star Jaylen Brown dropped 30 points, nine rebounds and three steals. 

    It was a true team win since Celtics point guard Dennis Schroder (23 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds) had his best performance for his new club including nine points in the extra session. Center Robert Williams (12 points, 16 rebounds, 3 blocks) was a force on the glass, guard Marcus Smart (3 steals) was able to prevent the Hornets from winning at the end of regulation when he stole a lazy inbounds pass that was intended for Charlotte's young star LaMelo Ball (25 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds). Even forward Jabari Parker (13 points, 5 rebounds) played a big role in the win off the bench because he scored 11 points in the first quarter when his team was gaining its bearings. Power forward Grant Williams added nine points as he continued his strong play to start this campaign. 

    It wasn't a full family reunion since former Celtics guard Terry Rozier sat out with an injury but there was Gordon Hayward (15 points, 6 rebounds) who logged a game-low plus/minus of minus-23 but hey, he had a cool haircut to show off. Charlotte's small forward Miles Bridges added a double-double (25 points, 10 rebounds) but Brown also threw down a vicious dunk on him which is all that most people will remember from his fine night's work. Shooting guard Kelly Oubre Jr. had a good game (19 points, 9 rebounds) and journeyman center Miles Plumlee notched a double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks). Power forward Jalen McDaniels put up 13 points off the bench and veteran point guard Ish Smith scored 10 points in 23 minutes backing up Ball who surprisingly fouled out in OT-something that never happens to the truly elite of the NBA. 

    This evening was a throwback to the high-scoring 1980s in the league as neither team could really do anything effectively on defense. It was 33-33 after the first quarter and Boston took a two-point lead (68-66) into halftime. Head coach Ime Udoka's club came out a little slow in the third quarter-getting outscored 31-26-but they made up for it by taking the fourth quarter (28-25) and most importantly, dominating in overtime (18-7) as they beat Charlotte for the sixth time in their last seven meetings overall. The Celtics shot nearly five percent better than the Hornets from the field (49.5%-44.7%), they hit three more free throws (21-18), dished out seven more assists (33-26), had twice as many steals (8-4), blocked three more shots (9-6), turned the ball over two fewer times (14-12), registered five more second chance points (17-12) and scored seven more fast break points (22-15) than Charlotte who had 11 more points off turnovers (19-8) than the Celtics. 

    Of course it is way too early to know anything yet about these C's: their season-opening double overtime loss last Wednesday at the Knicks (2-1) 138-134 will likely go down as one of the games of the year in the league, then they no-showed in their home opener last Friday against the Raptors (1-3) 115-83. They had no choice but to beat the lowly Rockets and while it was tougher than it had to be, they got it done and they proved a little something by beating the Hornets who will be a playoff team again in the Eastern Conference. The Celts return to TD Garden on Wednesday (7:30, NBC Sports Boston) as they kick off a home-and-home with the Wizards (2-1). They'll head to DC on Saturday (5, NBC Sports Boston) for the rematch with Tatum's BFF Bradley Beal and Co.

The Celtics Snap A Three-Game Losing Streak & Take The Season Series (2-1) From The Hornets

 

    I'm done trying to make sense of the Celtics (33-30 overall, 20-12 home) or this goofy NBA season. Just when I had left them for dead yet again, they shut up the doubters for a night as they beat the Hornets (30-32 overall, 14-19 away) 120-111 this evening at the TD Garden. Boston had lost three games in a row including a 125-104 blowout in Charlotte on Sunday followed by last night's humiliating 119-115 loss to the Thunder (21-41) who entered riding a 14-game losing streak. The C's also did this without the services of their top two point guards as Kemba Walker (oblique) remains out and Marcus Smart was suspended for a game since he threatened officials on Tuesday. It's nice to see that he's really grown up after all these years of stupidity. Shooting guard Jaylen Brown (game-high 38 points, 7 rebounds) and swingman Jayson Tatum (35 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists) became the first Celtics teammates since 2006 to each score 35+ points in the same game. 

    This final score is misleading because the C's were up 20 points after a first quarter (39-19) in which Brown (20) single-handedly outscored the Hornets by himself. Charlotte chipped away at the lead, cutting it to 58-47 at halftime and 88-80 going into the fourth quarter but Boston held on for the much-needed victory. The other two standouts for the Celts were a pair of unlikely heroes: center Tristan Thompson (12 points, 13 rebounds, 2 blocks) had a double-double and rookie small forward Aaron Nesmith (career-high 15 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 blocks) made the most of his 31 minutes off the bench. Brewster Academy's Devonte' Graham led the Hornets with 25 points, seven assists, five rebounds and two blocks while center P.J. Washington and small forward Miles Bridges (2 steals) both added 19 points in the loss. Former Celtics great Terry Rozier (15 points, 7 assists) was terrible as he shot 4-of-18 from the field including 1-of-8 on 3-pointers which felt like a fine tribute to his old teammate Smart. Center Cody Zeller scored 16 points off the bench in just 17 minutes. 

    Boston shot 5.3% better from the field than Charlotte (47.8%-42.5%), they hit two more 3-pointers (15-13), grabbed 21 more rebounds (54-33), had two more steals (9-7), blocked three more shots (8-5), scored 10 more points in the paint (54-44) and nine more second chance points (19-10). The win kept the Celtics in sixth-place (out of the play-in round) in the Eastern Conference but they are still tied with Miami (33-30) who is in seventh-place based on tiebreakers. Boston is one game behind Atlanta (34-29) and two games behind New York (35-28) with nine games left in the regular season. This four-game homestand continues on Friday (7:30, NBC Sports Boston) as the Celts welcome the Spurs (31-30 overall, 18-11 road) to the Garden. San Antonio is in ninth-place in the Western Conference, tied with the Grizzlies (31-30) and half a game in front of Golden State (31-31). This contest is very important to them as well since while they look destined to compete in the play-in round, they can still improve their seeding for that.

If You Didn't See A Minute Of Hornets-Celtics This Afternoon, Consider Yourself A Very Lucky Person

 

    Even on a rainy Sunday afternoon, the Celtics (32-29 overall, 13-18 away) sure didn't give us any reasons to pay attention to them for long today as they got blown out 125-104 by the Hornets (30-30 overall, 16-12 home) at the Spectrum Center. Charlotte shot an absurd 48.8% on 3-pointers (21-for-43) and they handed out a season-high 39 assists as well. Four Hornets scored at least 20 points led by point guard Devonte' Graham (24 points, 9 assists); center P.J. Washington added 22 points, 12 rebounds and five assists, former Celtic Terry Rozier notched 21 points, 11 assists and five rebounds while small forward Miles Bridges put up 20 points and six rebounds. With the loss, Boston fell two games behind both New York (34-27) and Atlanta (34-27) for fourth and fifth-place in the Eastern Conference. The C's are in sixth-place, tied with the Heat (32-29) and now only a game and a half in front of the Hornets.

    It was just never really competitive as the Hornets were up double-digits in the first quarter which allowed them to cruise from there. Power forward Cody Martin had 13 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two blocks in the win while another former Celtic-Brad Wanamaker-piled on with 12 points and two steals off the bench for Charlotte. There really was no excuse for suffering such a beating as other than center Robert Williams (left knee soreness), Celtics head coach Brad Stevens had about as close to a full lineup as he has used at any point of this cursed season. Point guard Kemba Walker (6 rebounds and 2 steals) along with shooting guard Jaylen Brown (8 rebounds and 2 steals) both paced the C's with 20 points apiece. Swingman Jayson Tatum (19 points, 11 rebounds) had another grimy double-double since he shot 6-of-16 from the field. Guard Marcus Smart (17 points) helped cut it to a six-point in the third quarter but that was as good as it would get for Boston.  

    The Celts return home for a critical four-game homestand: they host the awful Thunder (20-40 overall, 11-19 away)-who have lost 13 games in a row!-on Tuesday (7, NBC Sports Boston), followed by a rematch with Charlotte on Wednesday (7:30, NBC Sports Boston), the Spurs (30-29 overall, 17-10 away) are here on Friday (7:30, NBC Sports Boston) and it ends on Sunday (7:30, NBC Sports Boston) with Portland (32-28 overall, 16-12 away) who have lost five straight games. These are all winnable games for the C's although I could also seeing them losing the last three. Haha if they lose to Oklahoma City-who is tanking like you read about-I won't know what to say. 

The Celtics Celebrate Easter By Beating The Hornets By 30 Points & Stealing All Of Their Candy

 

    What would have been a fun Easter night matchup between the Celtics (25-25 overall, 15-9 home) and the Hornets (25-24 overall, 12-15 away) lost most of its juice before the game had even started. On Saturday it was revealed that former Celtic Gordon Hayward would miss at least the next four weeks with a sprained foot. Add that to Rookie of the Year favorite LaMelo Ball already being out with a broken wrist and you can perhaps understand why shorthanded Charlotte got their asses kicked 116-86 tonight at the TD Garden. The Hornets actually led by one point (26-25) after the first quarter but the Celts proceeded to outscore them 73-44 over the second and third quarters combined. Boston's second win in a row brought them back to .500 and within a game of fourth-place Atlanta (26-24) and fifth-place Miami (26-24) in the Eastern Conference. 

    Each Celtics starter scored at least 12 points and shooting guard Evan Fournier (17 points, 6 assists, 2 steals) had his second straight quality outing off the bench for the C's. Swingman Jayson Tatum led the way with a game-high 22 points and eight rebounds while shooting guard Jaylen Brown added 17 points and six rebounds. Center Robert Williams notched 16 points, eight rebounds and two steals followed by point guard Kemba Walker (6 assists) and guard Marcus Smart who each dropped 12 points in the blowout victory. 

    The Celtics improved to 2-2 on this neverending seven-game homestand and the final three games this week should be telling: they host the top team in the East-the Sixers (34-16 overall, 14-11 away)-on Tuesday (7:30, NBC Sports Boston) the start of a back-to back that has the Knicks (25-25 overall, 11-15 away) here the next night (7:30, NBC Sports Boston); finally, the worst team in the NBA-the Timberwolves (12-38 overall, 5-21 away)-comes to town on Friday (7:30, NBC Sports Boston). Philly is having a great season in Doc Rivers' first year as their head coach so that will be a really tough one for Boston to win. They are tied in the standings with New York so that could go either way and no matter what happens in those first two contests, they should easily beat Minnesota with their eyes closed.

UPDATE 4/6/21: Fournier was ruled out for tonight's game due to him being back in the NBA's health & safety protocol. 

Ultimate Trolling: The Celtics Are Actually Going to Make the Playoffs This Season, Aren't They?

At this point, I would sound like an idiot to ignore the truth that jumps off the screen anytime you tune in: Isaiah Thomas (28 points, 7 assists) has brought so much life to the Celtics that now it looks likely that they'll make the playoffs this season. Boston (23-33 overall, 14-15 home) beat Charlotte (23-33 overall, 10-17 away) 106-98 tonight at TD Garden. That leaves the two teams tied with Brooklyn, mere percentage points behind Indiana (24-34) who is barely hanging onto the eighth spot in the dogshit Eastern Conference.

All season long, I've bitched and complained when the Celtics have won so let me get one thing straight: I'm not changing my tune. It still helps them more to lose and miss out on the postseason this spring but then again, they are unlikely to get a top pick (in a weak draft) since they are so many teams dedicated to tanking so how could it hurt to give head coach Brad Stevens not to mention all these young, inexperienced players a little taste of the playoffs before they get swept by the Hawks, Raptors, Bulls or Cavaliers?

Boston's bench outscored its starters 60-46 led by Thomas and Jonas Jerebko (16 points, 10 rebounds) who has to be the best Swedish basketball player that I've ever seen. Their other recent acquisition Jae Crowder added 14 points and six rebounds while proving to be a versatile defender able to guard all different size guys. Avery Bradley had 19 points and five rebounds including two putback dunks that sealed it. Marcus Smart (10 points) was the only other Celtics starter to score in double-figures.

The Hornets still have some good players but they are lost right now without former UConn star point guard Kemba Walker. Mo Williams had a game-high 31 points and seven rebounds which sounds great but he took 23 shots and only contributed four assists (with three turnovers). Former Celtic Al Jefferson was held in check (14 points, 8 rebounds), Gerald Henderson added 14 points, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist had a double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds) while Tyler's (7 points, 9 rebounds) little brother Cody Zeller notched 11 points, seven rebounds and three steals.

The Celtics were up 27-21 after the first quarter but the Hornets pulled ahead 49-45 by halftime. Charlotte increased its lead to six going into the fourth (75-69) but Boston scored a season-high 37 points in the final frame and held their opponents to 23.

For the game, Boston hit four more 3-pointers (14-10), dished out five more assists (24-19), scored nine more fast break points (19-10), 10 more points in the paint (38-28) and 13 more points off turnovers (21-8). Charlotte had twice as many turnovers (16-8) as Boston which ultimately killed them.

Sunday night (6, CSN) at the Garden should be fun as the Celtics welcome the best team in the NBA-the Warriors (45-11)-to town. I give Boston a better chance to win than you'd probably expect since that will be Golden State's fifth stop on a six-game road trip (granted they humiliated Toronto 113-89 this evening) and also the fact that the C's nearly shocked them in Golden State a month ago (114-111 loss on Jan. 25). I never thought I'd say this during the Celtics' 2014-15 season but I'm actually really looking forward to that matchup.

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