Jayson Tatum and the Celtics” width=”1200″ height=”800″ class=”aligncenter size-full wp-image-733976″ srcset=”https://www.basketusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/USATSI_246593031.jpg 1200w, https://www.basketusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/USATSI_246593031-210×140.jpg 210w, https://www.basketusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/USATSI_246593031-500×333.jpg 500w, https://www.basketusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/USATSI_246593031-768×512.jpg 768w, https://www.basketusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/USATSI_246593031-640×427.jpg 640w, https://www.basketusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/USATSI_246593031-320×213.jpg 320w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/>The youth and passion of the Hornets were once again measured against the rigor of the reigning champion, 24 hours after losing the first act, 124-109. The scenario of the meeting was similar to that of the day before despite the absence of Jaylen Brown, spared for the occasion.
With a Boston team which took off from the start by scoring 38 points in the first quarter (24-38) and which did what was necessary to manage its lead until the end, with more or less success . In particular, there was a rather controlled second quarter, marked by an incredible hot shot from Payton Pritchard with a 4/4 3-pointer necessary to compensate for LaMelo Ball‘s 15 points over the period (50-68).
Everything could have changed as soon as they returned from the locker room, when Charlotte delivered an incredible 17-2 to the defending champion thanks to 3-pointers from Miles Bridges, Brandon Miller, Grant Williams and Josh Green to come back to one possession away (67 -70). With confidence, Boston then restarted the machine, with a 3-pointer from Jrue Holiday, like at the start of the game and 5 points from Jayson Tatum (69-78).
The attacks of LaMelo Ball and Josh Green changed nothing in the finale. And when Charlotte dared to come back to -6 (87-93), Derrick White showed the way with 3-pointers, then by going for Brandon Miller on the counter. Payton Pritchard and Jrue Holiday imitated him from afar to launch a 12-4 ending with a victorious dunk from Jayson Tatum (93-108). After another counter from Derrick White on Brandon Miller (!), the Celtics were able to avoid a pressure-filled end to the match, finally leaving North Carolina with the victory (103-113).
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– So close, so far. The revival of the Hornets is a pleasure to see and we feel that there is not much missing for the franchise to finally shift to the right side, even if the absences of Mark Williams and Nick Richards inevitably cost position 5. The talent is good there around a LaMelo Ball who seems fulfilled. But to get closer to a “success story” similar to that of the Magic, there is still one thing missing from this Charlotte team, defense! After conceding 40 points in 12 minutes at the start of the previous match, the Hornets this time conceded 38, and that is obviously far too many. With energy, Charles Lee’s men managed to restart the game. But once again, Boston almost didn’t tremble, scoring 15 points in just over three minutes, in the form of a 15-6, to get back on track. On arrival, Charlotte almost believed it, but above all measured the distance that remained to be covered in order to compete with the best teams in the league.
– Two X factors to replace Jaylen Brown. With JB resting, Boston was able to count on two lieutenants in great shape to compensate and accompany an aggressive Jayson Tatum. Alongside Derrick White’s 18 points or Jrue Holiday’s 13 points and 6 assists, special mentions go to Payton Pritchard, for his superb 4/4 hot shot from 3-point range in the second quarter to to increase the gap beyond 20 points, and to Luke Kornet, who cracked a super 6/6 in shooting and 7/7 in throwing to finish at 19 points.
– Tidjane Salaün and Moussa Diabaté discreet. The two Frenchies of the Hornets were in sight Friday evening, respectively with 9 points and 6 rebounds and 6 points and 7 rebounds. They were much less visible last night, with zero points for Tidjane Salaün, who had to be content with a few good defensive sequences, and 1 point, 4 rebounds and 1 assist for Moussa Diabaté. Signed on a “two-way contract”, the latter takes advantage of the injuries of his teammates inside to have more playing time.
| Charlotte / 103 | Shots | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | O | D | T | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | +/- | Pts | Eval |
| Boston / 113 | Shots | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | O | D | T | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | +/- | Pts | Eval |
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
