Jayson Tatum (51 points) hurt the Hornets

The Celtics entered the game perfect. Facing an energetic but impatient LaMelo Ball, the finalists bide their time and chain baskets. With a brilliant Jayson Tatum, they went on a 10-0 run and controlled from the first quarter (22-35).

The winger was still very easy in the second quarter, however, and the Hornets were finally starting to show a new face. More importantly, they don’t lose the ball or nearly so (only one on the break) and take advantage of the Celtics’ balls. With a very good Jalen McDaniels, they stayed in the game although they were clearly dominated (55-66).

Tatum got the point home early in the second half but again, Charlotte was able to react after the All-Star show. The Celtics had a breakdown in the attack for about four minutes and Steve Clifford’s troops jumped at the chance to end the quarter with a 10-0 (86-92).

To launch the final act, Ball finally did some positive things and we entered “money time” with two teams very close in score. But the Hornets will lose balls, which they haven’t done up to that point, and the Celtics will not only grab some offensive rebounds but also be immovable at the line, with Jayson Tatum finishing his little gem with 51 points in worthy of this Boston. success

WHAT YOU SHOULD REMEMBER

– Boston collective game. The Celtics certainly weren’t too embarrassed by the ineffective defense of the Hornets, but they did manage to score very well collectively. The Boston game was clearly not just a Jayson Tatum show. The ball rolled, they often found open shots with another offer and the statistical result depended on the show: 34 assists in 43 shots recorded.

– The Hornets’ best streaks were made without LaMelo Ball. The Hornets’ highlights in the second and especially late in the third quarter were achieved without their playmaker, who never entered the game. With Terry Rozier at the helm and with a desire to play inside, Charlotte has shown more interesting things than the fast game. Jaden McDaniels, author of his best career game with 26 points, and Mason Plumlee, 17 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists, were particularly good in these Hornets sequences.

TOPS/FLOPS

✅ Jayson Tatum. A real demonstration. The winger was on cloud nine all night. He was in total control, under no pressure, and already posted 11 points after the first quarter. He had 20 points at the break. He settled for two-man catches, dropped the ball and was smart at the end of the game to get free throws, when Boston was in the bonus. He is especially perfect in exercise: 14/14. In the final seconds, he was happy behind the arc to exceed 50 points and finished with 51 units on 15/23 to shoot, 7/12 on 3-pts, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Amazing.

⛔ LaMelo Ball. Quite the opposite of Tatum or almost in terms of accuracy and patience. The Hornets playmaker made his fight in his corner, producing quick and questionable shots. In the second quarter, he made a stupid mistake, his third in overtime, and therefore had to join the bench. Subsequently, his teammates finished the half at full speed and he too watched their great finish in the third quarter from the bench. Lonzo’s brother had only one positive streak: the start of the final quarter with 8 points in four minutes. But that can’t forget his ugly 8/23 shooting, his five fouls and this impression that he played with his teammates and not with them.

THE FOLLOWING

Charlotte (11-34) : travel to Houston, in the evening from Wednesday to Thursday (02:00).

Boston (33-12) : reception of the Warriors, in the evening from Thursday to Friday (01:30).