Charlotte Hornets

Hornets Gameday: vs. Boston Celtics

Jeremy Lin #7 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots over James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets during their game at Toyota Center on December 21, 2015 in Houston, Texas.
Jeremy Lin #7 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots over James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets during their game at Toyota Center on December 21, 2015 in Houston, Texas. Getty Images

7 p.m., Time Warner Cable Arena

TV: Fox Sports Southeast. Radio: WFNZ-AM 610.

Projected Starters

Hornets

Celtics

Pos, Player

PPG

RPG

Pos, Player

PPG

RPG

G. K. Walker

18.0

4.2

G I. Thomas

21.0

2.8

G N. Batum

16.1

6.5

G A. Bradley

15.3

2.4

F P. Hairston

5.3

2.5

F J. Crowder

13.0

4.9

F M. Williams

9.9

7.1

F D. Lee

7.3

4.3

C C. Zeller

8.2

4.9

C K. Olynyk

9.1

3.7

Matchup to Watch

Isaiah Thomas vs. Kemba Walker: Acquiring Thomas last season changed the Celtics’ season for his ability to create havoc off the dribble in the pick-and-roll.

Observations

▪ The Celtics are listing Amir Johnson (plantar fasciitis) and Jared Sullinger (back spasms) as questionable for the game.

▪ The Hornets have a strong home record at 11-4 but are just 4-8 on the road. This is the first of four home games before a Jaunuary full of travel.

Tap-ins

▪ The Hornets didn’t practice Tuesday after a road loss Monday night in Houston.

▪ This is the last of five games Hornets center Al Jefferson is sitting out while serving a five-game NBA suspension.

Did you know?

Larry Bird once scored 45 points on the Hornets, but that doesn’t make him the single-game, all-time scorer in the series. Glen Rice posted 48 on the Celtics in March 1997.

Rick Bonnell

This story was originally published December 22, 2015 at 6:58 PM with the headline "Hornets Gameday: vs. Boston Celtics."

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