Tatum scores 51, leads Boston Celtics to 130-118 MLK Day matinee win over Charlotte Hornets

Jayson Tatum shot 65 % en path to a season excessive 51 factors, 18 of which got here within the 4th quarter, and the Celtics escaped with a 130-118 victory. The staff shot 47 % from three, transformed on 24/25 of their free throws, whereas amassing 34 assists and 14 offensive rebounds. Derrick White added 19 factors and eight assists whereas Robert Williams shot over 60 % from the sector in his 61st straight recreation (the file is 64, shouts to NBC Sports activities Boston for the stat).

Jaylen McDaniels led Charlotte with 26 factors on 9/15 taking pictures. Mason Plumlee had 19 factors, 12 rebounds, and seven assists, whereas Lamelo Ball added 25 factors and 6 assists. The Hornets minimize it to a one possession recreation within the 4th quarter however Tatum was an excessive amount of to deal with.

The whole lot about this matchup screamed “lure recreation.” Between the 1:00 begin, the Saturday night time win in opposition to this similar Charlotte staff, and the 2 days off earlier than Thursday night time’s finals rematch versus Golden State, it seemed the Celtics might let their guard down. Thankfully for Boston, they’ve a number one MVP candidate. There have been talks of Tatum not being an All Star starter, that Giannis and KD are extra deserving, however this recreation ought to actually squash that state of affairs.

Marcus Good acquired the scoring began instantly, changing on this alley oop from White simply 10 seconds into the sport:

Aside from this play, there weren’t too many highlights from this low-energy 1st quarter, as is typical with these 1:00 begins. Lamelo hit a 30 footer to tie the rating at 19 on the 4:18 mark, however the Celtics answered with a 16-3 to shut the quarter and led 35-22.

Tatum did no matter he wished and led the best way with 11 factors, 3 assists, and 4 rebounds, whereas Brogdon and White every went 2/2 from three. The Celtics assisted on 12 of their 13 first-quarter subject objectives whereas holding the Hornets to twenty-eight % taking pictures. With out Gordon Hayward and Kelly Oubre, Charlotte was counting on unknown gamers like JT Thor and Bryce McGowens.

After the Celtics went up 17, McDaniels hit two straight threes, then acquired a halfcourt steal and completed the contested layup, reducing the rating to 56-46. A Terry Rozier three on the two minute mark minimize it to 59-53. Tatum earned two straight journeys to the free throw line and the Celtics led 66-55 at half.

Tatum had 20 factors on 6/10 taking pictures, Brogdon had 16 on 6/8 taking pictures, and white added 12 factors with 4 assists. Grant Williams didn’t rating, however he was +14 in his 11 minutes on the ground with 6 assists. On Saturday, the Hornets had been 18/26 within the paint in the course of the first half, however at the moment the Celtics held them to 9/26. McDaniels and PJ Washington had been their prime scorers with 18 and 10 respectively.

The groups went on alternating runs all through the third quarter. The Hornets scored on their first three possessions then the Celtics responded with a pair of Robert Williams alley oops and threes from Horford and Tatum. Mason Plumlee then scored seven straight factors, and when he was within the uncommon place of being the transition ball handler, he discovered McDaniels for the reducing dunk. The Celtics went on a 9-1 run, the Hornets responded with a 10-0 run, and Boston led 92-86 going into the 4th quarter.

Grant opened the interval swishing a 3 off a Brogdon help, then Lamelo responded with an insane stepback three within the face of Grant’s robust protection. Peyton Pritchard fouled McDaniels on a three-point try, who then hit every free throws and minimize the rating to 98-96 with 9:33 remaining. A couple of minutes later, the Celtics acquired two consecutive offensive rebounds and White transformed on the floating financial institution shot, giving Boston a 109-101 lead.

It seemed just like the Celtics regained management over the sport, however a Good turnover on the 4 minute mark led to a Rozier transition and-1 to make the rating 115-110. The Hornets weren’t taking place simple, however Tatum was an excessive amount of to deal with, hitting three 3’s within the ultimate two minutes, because the Celtics received 130-118.

Boston improves to 33-12 they usually have two days off earlier than internet hosting the Golden State Warriors this Thursday at 7:30.