While the close first quarter induced flashbacks to Saturday’s home blowout loss to the Toronto Raptors, the Boston Celtics would dominate the next three frames to get back in the win column to close out 2019.
Even though All-Star hopeful fourth-year wing Jaylen Brown did not make the contest as he struggled with a sinus infection, Boston had the game in hand by the start of the second quarter thanks to five straight field goals by fellow first-time All-Star aspirant Jayson Tatum.
Led by a big night for Tatum with 24 points, 7 boards and 3 steals, the Duke product was aided by 22 points and 7 assists from former Hornet Kemba Walker and 21 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists from forward Gordon Hayward.
Outspoken reserve center Enes Kanter continued to dominate off the bench, chipping in 13 points, 14 boards and 6 blocks, helping hold Charlotte to just 39.5 % shooting on the contest.
The Hornets had six players in double figures, with rookie P.J. Washington logging 15 points, 5 boards and 3 steals in the tilt, and second-year forward Miles Bridges adding 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Charlotte would manage to cut the lead to four late in the penultimate frame, but a 16-6 Boston run sealed the fate of the Hornets from then on out.
The 23-8 Celtics have won six of their last seven games, and now sit firmly in second place in the East standings.
The Boston Celtics next face the Atlanta Hawks at TD Garden January 3 at 7pm ET as they enter a busy stretch of the schedule. The Celtics will see several back-to-backs in the coming weeks with few opportunities to practice.
Mercifully, there will be few teams possessing a winning record over that stretch, with only the Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Miami Heat on the schedule before February.
