The Celtics showed a pulse for about 36 of 48 minutes in tonight’s 120-111 victory over the Charlotte Hornets and that’s all we can ask for.
Fueled by a red-hot Jaylen Brown (38 points, 13-23 FG) the Celtics led by 20 points after the opening quarter. Predictably, Charlotte methodically worked their way back into the ball game, closing to within 3 points midway through the 3rd and again later in the 4th quarter.
But Brown and Tatum (35 points, 12-23 FG) closed the door with some clutch buckets late, and Aaron Nesmith (yes, that Aaron Nesmith) earned major minutes with some incredible hustle plays.