Recap/Analysis: Hornets attempt comeback but run out of gas against Celtics – At The Hive

LaMelo Ball scored 36 points, but the Charlotte Hornets weren’t able to overcome a 21 point first half deficit as they lost to the Boston Celtics, 113-103.

The summary

The Hornets got hit by the Celtics in the first quarter, but they had themselves to blame for that. The Celtics are a good defensive team, but that probably doesn’t explain the quality of the some of the Hornets misses. There were airballs, jumpers that got nothing but backboard, and shots that nearly hit the underside of the rim. The Hornets trailed by 14 after one.

The misses somehow got worse in the second quarter. LaMelo Ball, Taj Gibson, Brandon Miller, Grant Williams, and Miles Bridges all smoked shots around the basket in the first few minutes of the quarter while the Celtics grew their lead. LaMelo Ball found his rhythm, and his 18 points in the quarter were the only thread the Hornets had to hold onto. They trailed by 18 at the half.

The Hornets scored the first 14 points of the third quarter and made it a one possession game four minutes into the second half. The run ran out of juice after that burst, and the Celtics gradually added a few points back to their lead. The teams were split by 11 points heading into the fourth.

LaMelo hit a couple of fourth quarter threes to keep the Hornets in the game, but the Celtics made too many threes and the Hornets couldn’t make enough shots to finish the comeback. They seemed to run out of gas and couldn’t keep pace with the defending champs. It was another good effort though.

The Good

LaMelo Ball had a really rough first quarter, but once he saw one go through, he was tough to stop. He made six 3-pointers, and after a really rough start around the basket, ended up making nine of his 14 shot attempts inside the arc. He finished with 36 points.

Brandon Miller’s final shooting percentage wasn’t good, but that’s a product of a frigid start. He found his groove as the game went on and had a pretty good all around game. 16 points are fine. It’s nice to see him find six assists to go with those.

Cody Martin keeps making step back jumpers. It’s weird to see.

Josh Green made 4-of-5 threes and was a menace defensively. He gave Jayson Tatum problem with his physicality.

The Hornets should be happy holding the Celtics to 113 points on 43.6% shooting from the field and 30.6% shooting from three. They couldn’t make enough shots to capitalize, but it was a good defensive performance from a team that had been one of the worst in the league on that side of the ball to start the season.

The Bad

The Hornets finishing inside the arc separated them from the Celtics, especially in the first three quarters. They were able to improve as the game went on, but there was a point in the second half where the Hornets were shooting sub-40% from 2-point range. A lot of the misses weren’t even close too.

Miles Bridges and Grant Williams were completely invisible from a production standpoint. The combined for 11 points and each shot 2-of-6 from the floor. The Hornets need more production out of Bridges in particular. Williams maybe needs to dial back the on court abrasiveness if he’s not going to produce. A lot of bickering for foul calls and asking for every other whistle to be challenged. He needs to be careful that he doesn’t turn into Diet Draymond Green.

The sixth foul was a take foul with the game out of reach, but LaMelo Ball has now fouled out in three of six games this season. The Hornets needs him on the floor.

What’s Next

The Hornets don’t have to play the Celtics again until April. They hit the road for one a game trip to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves.