BOSTON CELTICS (41-20) at CHARLOTTE HORNETS (31-31)
Location: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisc.
Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub
What to watch for: Nothing can stop the Boston Celtics right now. They’ve run through almost everyone in their path. They’re one of the hottest teams in the NBA.
So, what will happen when they take on one of the other hottest teams in the NBA? The Charlotte Hornets.
The Hornets, who will be on the second night of a back-to-back, having beaten the Dallas Mavericks, 117-90, on Tuesday night.
Tale of the tape: The Celtics and Hornets have not squared off yet this season.
Last game: The Celtics were in Milwaukee on Monday night, but Jaylen Brown and Neemias Queta weren’t active. Still, they managed to walk out of Fiserv Forum with a 108-91 victory.
Hugo Gonzalez exploded for 18 points and 16 rebounds, spoiling Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s return to the court. It was the first time he played Bucks basketball since January 23.
Standings check-in: With the Celtics’ win over the Bucks, they maintained their place in second in the East, but they also gained some ground. They are now just 4.5 games behind the first-place Detroit Pistons.
However, they are still just 1.5 games up on the New York Knicks.
Hornets check-in: Charlotte has been the hottest team in the NBA throughout the second half of the season. They have won five games in a row and are 7-3 in their last 10 games.
Brandon Miller has been on fire lately. In his last 10 games, he’s averaging 22.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.8 blocks (and 3.9 turnovers). He’s been shooting 42.3% from the floor and 41.0% from deep on 10.0 three-point attempts per contest.
Kon Knueppel has been right behind him, putting up 20.9 points on ridiculous 50.3-48.4 shooting splits in his last 10.
Right alongside them? LaMelo Ball. In his last 10 games, he’s been putting up 19.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 7.1 assists. However, he hasn’t been very efficient, shooting just 37.4% from the field and 35.8% from deep.
Moussa Diabate has been a monster on the glass, grabbing 9.7 rebounds per game in his last six appearances.
One fun play: This was such a classic Derrick White steal.
He was the inbounder, but Nikola Vucevic dropped the ball in the post. Once Kevin Porter Jr. grabbed it, White snuck up behind him and took it back.
White then threw a beautiful bounce pass to a waiting Payton Pritchard in the paint. (Not an easy pass to make.)
