© David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Celtics Showcase Depth in Dominant Display vs. Hornets
With the Celtics' top six inactive for Friday's game vs. the Hornets, the second night of a back-to-back after a 118-109 loss to the Knicks and their 81st of the regular season, Boston started Payton Pritchard, Jaden Springer, Svi Mykhailiuk, Sam Hauser, and Luke Kornet.
Like last year's 30-point triple-double in the regular-season finale against the Atlanta Hawks, Pritchard capitalized on his opportunity to step into the spotlight.
The former Oregon Duck generated 13 points on 6/10 shooting. He also dished out five assists.
Luke Kornet also quickly made his presence felt, putting ten points on the board, including finishing off multiple alley-oops from Pritchard.
A development reinforced early in the matchup is that Springer is far more comfortable and effective finishing when he elevates off two feet compared to one. The 21-year-old North Carolina native badly missed a layup off one foot after attacking downhill, then redeemed himself when he lept off two and converted on an attempt from inside the paint.
As a collective, the hosts repeatedly capitalized on porous defense by Charlotte, producing 18 points in the paint in the opening 12 minutes, taking a 30-24 edge into the second quarter.
In the following 12 minutes, Boston broke the game open.
The Celtics raised their defensive intensity, Hauser swallowing up a Vasilije Micic drive, leading to one of the visitors' eight turnovers in the second frame. They parlayed those into 15 turnovers.
They converted 12 first-half giveaways by the Hornets into 19 points; Charlotte scored none off Boston's four turnovers.
That and 30 points in the paint helped the hosts enter halftime with a 69-43 advantage.
As did the G Leaguers on call out-performing the Hornets' regulars who were available for Friday's matchup.
Jordan Walsh outraced Aleksej Pokusevski and Tre Mann for a loose ball after a pass from Davis Bertans went through Pokusevski's hands. He then took off for a fast-break flush.
The rookie wing moved his feet well and stayed active on defense, applying airtight on-ball pressure.
Like Walsh, Neemias Queta provided an infusion of energy off the bench, protecting the rim at one end and throwing down multiple finishes above the cylinder at the other.
Pritchard, who entered intermission with 23 points, registered a career-high 31 points before the third quarter ended. He also distributed 11 assists.
Kornet also produced a double-double within the first 36 minutes, producing 16 points and 10 rebounds. It's his first double-double since 2019 while with the New York Knicks.
Their dominance drove an onslaught that translated to a 94-76 lead entering the final frame.
From there, the Celtics, whose advantage grew as large as 35 points, applied the finishing touches, including Springer forcing an Amari Bailey turnover, knocking the ball free, leading to an alley-oop from JD Davison to Drew Peterson, two players pivotal to Maine's championship aspirations on Monday night at the Expo in Portland.
On Friday, their efforts aided the parent club in a dominant display in a 131-98 win on the TD Garden parquet.
The Celtics wrap up the regular season on Sunday when they host the Washington Wizards. That game will tip off at 1:00 EST.
Further Reading
'Nip That in the Bud': Celtics Address End-of-Season Struggles
Jrue Holiday on Celtics Extension: 'Try to Get More Banners, Get More Rings'
Aiming to Maximize Championship Window, Celtics Extend Jrue Holiday
Neemias Queta Inks New Deal with Celtics
Seldom-Used Celtics Reserve Showcasing Playoff Value
Jaylen Brown Shares What Latest Milestone Means to Him
Celtics Embracing Challenge to Go Beyond Most Talented
Jayson Tatum Opens Up About Sacrificing in Celtics' Title Pursuit: 'It's a Process'
Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans
Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'
Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'
