A large number of issues needed to go fallacious within the Boston Celtics’ most up-to-date meltdown, this time blowing an 18-point fourth-quarter lead in a 124-117 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday.
But maybe chief among the many causes Boston fell aside within the fourth was as a result of they utterly misplaced monitor of Kemba Walker.
The Hornets level guard is a infamous fourth-quarter performer, and he torched The Green on Saturday evening, going for 18 factors within the ultimate 12 minutes because the Hornets closed issues out with a large 30-5 run to cap the comeback.
After the sport, Kyrie Irving mentioned the Celtics have been a lot too lax on the one they name “Cardiac Kemba.”
Walker completed with 36 factors, additionally tacking on 11 rebounds and 9 assists.
He went for 41 factors in opposition to the Celtics in a 117-112 Hornets win over the C’s on Nov. 19. Boston cut up its four-game regular-season collection in opposition to Charlotte, with Walker averaging 29.eight factors in these video games.
Irving put up a spectacular night in his personal proper scoring-wise, ending with 31 factors on his 27th birthday. The level guard thought his day was finished when the Celtics went up huge within the fourth quarter, however was known as upon to place out the fireplace with 5:51, which he was unable to do. He was outscored 11-2 by Walker within the ultimate 5 minutes.
Here are another notes from Saturday’s Hornets-Celtics recreation:
— The Celtics have been trailing 120-117 with 14.1 seconds and a timeout remaining when Terry Rozier threw up a low-quality look from past the arc in a determined try to tie the sport.
The shot rimmed out, and Charlotte was in a position to run issues out after hauling within the rebound and forcing the C’s to foul. After the sport, Celtics coach Brad Stevens took the onus of the blame for the poor look.
— Jaylen Brown put up one other gorgeous efficiency off the bench, ending with 29 factors on a 10-for-13 evening from the ground. He hit 4-of-7 pictures from past the arc.
Brown was quiet within the Celtics’ losses to the Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers, posting simply six factors in every tilt. But the 22-year-old’s effort Saturday was his fourth 20-point efficiency his final six video games.
— The Celtics have been topped on the boards 53-42, whereas permitting the Hornets to seize 14 offensive rebounds.
— To make issues worse, the C’s misplaced Robert Williams within the second quarter with a lower-back contusion after a tough fall below the basket whereas trying a putback dunk. Boston already is with out Aron Baynes and was with out Al Horford, who’s battling a lingering knee harm, on Saturday.
Daniel Theis stuffed in admirably, placing up 5 factors with three rebounds and was a plus-15 after Williams exited.
Boston did reportedly signal heart Greg Monroe to a 10-day contract. So reinforcements appear to be on the best way.
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