By Adrian Stewart Co
Charlotte Hornets were in cruise control from start to finish as they walloped Boston Celtics, 125-104, in the 2020-2021 NBA Season on Sunday (Monday in the Philippines) at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Devonte Graham tallied 24 points to go along with nine assists, while P.J. Washington chipped in double-double 22 points and 12 rebounds as the Hornets improved to 30-30 win-loss slate.
Terry Rozier also had double-double 21 points and 11 assists, Miles Bridges contributed 20 points, while Caleb Martin and Brad Wanamaker chipped in 13 and 12 markers, respectively, for the Hornets.
The Hornets were scorching to start the contest as they converted 10 of their first 12 shots, including 6-of-7 from three-point range to build a 26-12 advantage.
The Celtics were hanging around in the second and third frame before the Hornets went for the kill with conversions from Graham, Bridges, Washington and Rozier as the lead went up to 20 with over three minutes left.
Kemba Walker and Jaylen Brown each had 20 points, while Jayson Tatum added double-double 19 points and 11 rebounds as the Celtics dropped two straight games to fall to 32-29.
Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant carried the cudgels offensively for the Brooklyn Nets (41-19) as they prevailed over the Phoenix Suns (42-18), 128-119.
Irving finished the game with 34 points, 12 assists and six rebounds, while Durant returned from thigh injury to score 33 as the Nets tightened its hold on top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Memphis Grizzlies (31-28), on the other hand, recorded a 120-113 triumph over Portland Trail Blazers (32-28). Ja Morant fired 28 points to go along with eight rebounds for the Grizzlies.
BOX SCORE:
CHARLOTTE 125 – Graham 24, Washington 22, Rozier 21, Bridges 20, Ca. Martin 13, Wanamaker 12, Riller 5, Biyombo 4, McDaniels 4, Co. Martin 0, Carey 0, Richards 0.
BOSTON 104 – Walker 20, Brown 20, Tatum 19, Smart 17, G. Williams 9, Thompson 5, Nesmith 5, Parker 4, Langford 3, Pritchard 2, Fournier 0, Kornet 0, Edwards 0, Waters 0.
Quarterscores: 33-23, 63-52, 100-88, 125-104./ASC, WDJ