The Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets haven’t had much in common in recent seasons due to their differing levels of success. However, this season brings a connection, with first-year Hornets coach Charles Lee having previously served as an assistant coach for the NBA champion Celtics. The teams are set to meet on Friday night for the first of two back-to-back games in Charlotte.
The Hornets earned their first home win on Wednesday night, defeating the Toronto Raptors 138-133, with Tre Mann (27 points), Cody Martin (25 points), and Grant Williams (17 points) combining for 69 points off the bench. This game marked the first time this season that point guard LaMelo Ball wasn’t Charlotte’s leading scorer. Building depth has been a goal for the Hornets, and their reserves are stepping up.
While the Hornets took a step forward under Lee, the Celtics experienced their first loss of the season on Wednesday night after a 4-0 start. They fell 135-132 in overtime to Indiana, beginning a four-game road stretch. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have alternated as Boston’s leading scorers, with Tatum scoring 37 points in three of their five games. However, the Celtics’ energy level on the road has raised some concerns.
Both the Celtics and Hornets have experienced wild swings in momentum in their recent games. Boston trailed by 24 points before forcing overtime against Indiana, while Charlotte led Toronto by 23 points in the second quarter, only to find themselves trailing midway through the third quarter before rallying for the win.
The Hornets made 20 three-pointers against Toronto, with opportunities created not just from perimeter play. Charlotte might have forward Brandon Miller back in action after missing over a week with a glute injury; he was involved in pregame work on Wednesday and is listed as questionable.
Boston won two of three meetings with the Hornets last season but lost in overtime on the road in their first matchup in November. This season’s matchups promise to be just as thrilling.
