NBA Game Report: Ball Scores, Tatum Scores and Rebounds & Brown Scores – Hornets vs. Celtics

Game report on November 2nd, the NBA regular season continued. In a matchup between Eastern Conference teams, the Charlotte Hornets faced off against the defending champion Boston Celtics at home. In the first quarter, the Hornets started well, leading 9-6 after Bridges scored a 2+1. Ball made two free throws to give the Hornets a 16-12 lead. The Celtics then began to score consistently under the leadership of Tatum, who was firing on all cylinders. Holiday hit a three-pointer, giving the Celtics an 18-16 lead. Tatum scored 5 consecutive points, followed by Brown scoring, which extended the Celtics’ lead to 27-17. Tatum and Hauser each hit a three-pointer, further widening the gap to 37-23. At the end of the first quarter, Tatum made all three of his free throws, and the Celtics led 40-25.

In the second quarter, the Hornets started strong with 7 consecutive points, narrowing the gap to 32-40. Ball hit a three-pointer, and White immediately responded with a three-pointer of his own. The Celtics continued to score with Walsh and Brown, and Brown’s dunk gave the Celtics a 58-43 lead, prompting a Hornets timeout. After the timeout, the Hornets scored consecutively, with Martin stealing the ball and scoring on a fast-break dunk to close the gap to 50-61. Guey hit a three-pointer, and the Hornets narrowed the gap to 61-65. Sallan’s three-pointer brought the Hornets within 67-69. Keta scored in the paint just before halftime, and the Celtics led 71-67 at the half.

In the third quarter, both teams struggled with their shooting, scoring only 4 points each in the first four minutes. The Celtics led 75-71. Tatum scored in the paint, and Guey hit a three-pointer, leaving the Hornets trailing 74-77. White and Tatum combined for 5 points, extending the lead to 82-74 and forcing another Hornets timeout. After the timeout, Tatum hit another three-pointer, but the Hornets responded with two three-pointers, closing the gap to 80-85. Holiday missed a dunk on a fast break, and the Hornets hit another three-pointer and continued to score on second-chance opportunities, narrowing the gap to 84-85. Hauser then hit a three-pointer to stop the bleeding, and the Celtics led 92-86 at the end of the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Hornets scored consecutively, and Ball’s three-pointer narrowed the gap to 94-96. After leading 98-96, Keta scored in the paint, and Ball immediately responded with a three-pointer, leaving the Hornets trailing 99-100. Brown scored strongly, and White got to the free-throw line. Keta then dunked, and the Celtics led 106-99. Holiday made one of two free throws, giving the Celtics a 111-101 lead. Holiday’s three-pointer extended the lead to 114-105. Guey was ejected for a flagrant foul 2 on a charge against his former teammate Tatum. Ball then fouled Tatum with a dangerous foot placement, committing his sixth foul and being ejected as well. The Celtics extended their lead to 14 points, and Bridges was also ejected. The game was essentially decided, and the Hornets ultimately lost to the Celtics 109-124 at home.

Player Stats:
Hornets: Ball 31 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal; Mann 23 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists; Bridges 14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal; Sallan 9 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist; Curry 8 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal; Martin 7 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal; Diabate 7 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist; Williams 6 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal; Green 3 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist; Richard 1 point, 3 rebounds, 1 assist.
Celtics: Tatum 34 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals; Brown 25 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal; White 17 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal; Holiday 14 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal; Keta 12 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist; Hauser 6 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists; Walsh 6 points; Konate 5 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal; Prichard 5 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals.

Starting Lineups:
Hornets: Ball, Curry, Josh Green, Bridges, Richards
Celtics: White, Holiday, Brown, Tatum, Konate