A two-game winning streak looked promising for the Charlotte Hornets’ pursuit of defense. Then, Sunday happened.
The Hornets’ streak of eight quarters not giving up 30 points came to a crashing end in the second quarter, when the Boston Celtics piled up 39. That led to a 21-point halftime lead and a 119-103 Celtics victory.
The loss dropped the Hornets to 16-16. They are off for the Christmas holiday until Wednesday in Brooklyn, when they play the first of consecutive games against the Nets.
The Celtics (19-13) had an exceptional shooting quarter in the second, making 14 of 24 attempts from the field and six of eight from 3-point range.