The lede writes itself: It was a rubber match. The Charlotte Hornets wanted to further improve the likelihood that they’ll at least secure a spot in the 7-versus-8 game of the play-in tournament, while the Boston Celtics should want to avoid it altogether. Both teams lost last night, though Boston’s loss was undoubtedly much more pathetic. The early-2000’s movie trailer version of this game would boast a tagline that reads “Two teams enter. One team leaves less middling than before. The Celtics, having sent out a healthy-ish roster — sans Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart, for dumber reasons — leave tonight the less-middling team, winning 120-111.
Aaron Nesmith shines as Celtics outplay Hornets in rubber match, 120-111
