Celtics vs. Hornets NBA Cup preview, Digi Mart USA News: The Celtics have put the pieces together when a full roster is not available, and they hope to field a complete group in Friday’s NBA Cup group play matchup in Charlotte.
Paul George scored 25 points and Derrick White added 24 in the Celtics’ 109-102 win over the Bucks on Wednesday night. Jayson Tatum missed a game for the first time this season because of rest.
“Obviously it changes a little bit because JT does a lot for us,” White said. “But at the end of the day, we believe in our depth, we believe in every person in the locker room, and we just got to go out there and get a win.”
George had his largest point total since the season opener, a 121-113 loss to the Pistons in Detroit. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said, “We need the best version of him for us to be a great team, and I think you were able to see that [Wednesday].”
George noted that it is important for the team to show it can excel with or without Tatum. “We want JT to get his rest in those situations, so we got to come together and collectively be big in those moments,” George said.
Boston is 6-2 this season and 3-4 against the spread, with one push. Charlotte is 3-6 this season and 3-6 against the spread.
Boston is averaging 108.3 points allowed per game, compared with 109.2 for Charlotte.
Boston is shooting .451 from the field and .353 from three-point range, while Charlotte is shooting .404 and .296. The Celtics are also holding opponents to .439 shooting, compared with .474 for the Hornets.
The Celtics have won 20 of their last 24 regular-season matchups against the Hornets. Charlotte has lost five games in a row.
Hornets guard Kon Knueppel exited six minutes into his season debut due to left leg soreness in Wednesday’s 114-104 loss to the Nets, and his availability for Friday night is in question.
Knueppel injured his left hamstring during the offseason and missed the preseason and the first eight games of the regular season. Boston is 1-2 in road games this season.
