Can the Boston Celtics knock off the Charlotte Hornets for the second straight time in two days?
Probably.
On Friday night, the Celtics defeated the 2-3 Hornets 5-1 on the road, 124-109. They’ll be back at the Spectrum Center on Saturday for an encore beatdown.
Celtics All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown predictably led the way for Boston. Tatum scored a game-high 32 points on 9-for-19 shooting from the floor (3-for-9 from deep) and 11-for-13 shooting from the foul line, while pulling down 11 rebounds, sweeping three steals and dishing out . three dimes out and block a shot. Brown scored 25 points on 8-for-19 shooting from the floor and 9-for-10 shooting from the charity stripe (let’s not talk about his 0-for-6 night from deep), grabbed six boards, handed out five dimes, picked up a steal and blocked a shot.
All-defensive guards Jrue Holiday (14 points) and Derrick White (17 points) scored in double figures, while reserve Neemias Queta (12 points) had a more impactful offensive night than third-string center Luke Kornet, who was elevated to a starting role at absence of both Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford.
The action kicks off at 6:00 PM ET on NBC Sports Boston locally, and via League Pass elsewhere.
Unfortunately, Boston will be without Brown tonight, who is resting due to a hip flexor strain, according to the league’s latest injury report.
However, Horford is no longer listed on Boston’s injury report. Porzingis, of course, continues to recover from his left tibial tendon surgery. Sharpshooter Sam Hauser is available to play due to his lower back injury. After Queta’s big night on Friday, you might wonder whether he can score more points behind Horford than Kornet.
Even without their second and probably third best players, Brown and Porzingis, the Celtics are still double-digit favorites to win again. According to The Action Network, the spread for Boston is currently set at -10.5 points.
Hornets All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball had a big night, scoring 31 points on 12-of-25 shooting (5-of-14 from deep) in the loss. But his passing was poor, as he handed out four dimes against four turnovers.
But Hornets forward Brandon Miller, who sat out Friday with a left glute strain, is available to play today. He and Miles Bridges are Ball’s best outlets on offense. If either player gets the run, they would at least be able to keep the margin smaller than the expected spread. Celtics 120, Hornets 112.
The biggest story to come out of Friday night’s game was ex-Celtic Grant Williams’ blatant second foul on Tatum, when he shoulder-checked his old teammate and sent him to the floor. Other old Boston comrades and retired Celtics had plenty to say about the unsportsmanlike behavior.
Read more: Former Celtics champion calls out flagrant foul by Grant Williams
Naturally, all eyes will be on Grant and Tatum to see what happens in this sequel.
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