Behind Kemba Walker’s 43 Points, Hornets Drop Celtics 117-112

NBA

Behind Kemba Walker’s 43 Points, Hornets Drop Celtics 117-112

Last night’s Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets game came down to the closing minutes. The Hornets were able to sustain a small lead until the final buzzer went off. The story of the game was how phenomenal Kemba Walker was. Walker scored 43 points on the Celtics, and was just on fire from everywhere. This is coming off a game where he scored 60 points, making him the most dangerous man in the league.

On the positive side for the Celtics, Kyrie Irving was extremely good, dropping 27 points of his own. The effort was there for every player on the floor, but the Hornets were just a little bit better last night. Losing a game like that will sit in the back of their head, and will hopefully be motivation in the near future.

Brad Stevens Odd Rotation Choices

Celtics head coach Brad Stevens made some strange decisions with his rotation yesterday. It started with moving Gordon Hayward to the bench and starting Aron Baynes. After that, Baynes only ended up playing 8 minutes even though they needed him in the game. Hayward was also ineffective this game. He passed up wide open shots, and not making the ones he took. There is no way he should’ve played 31 minutes.

Then the case of Jaylen Brown arose. I know last game I went in on Brown and how he should be coming off the bench. However, this game he was playing good. He had 10 points and was shooting 4-6 from the field. Then for some reason Stevens decided to bench him and only play him 19 minutes. That is just a bad decision. It derails all of Brown’s momentum in the game, and I guarantee that if Brown plays 30 minutes then the Celtics win.

Player of the Game: Kyrie Irving

I think it’s about time we just call this the “Kyrie Irving award”. He seems to win it every game. Irving had 11 assists to go with his 27 points. His ability to pass the ball may finally be recognized and appreciated by the league if this continues.

Honorable Mention: Marcus Smart

Looking Forward to the Next Game

The Celtics are back to the TD Garden to play the New York Knicks. The Knicks are 4-13 this season. However, they’re no easy win. The Celtics need this game or risk falling to 500. Hopefully Stevens plays the players who are playing good, and doesn’t play the players who aren’t playing good.

 

Photo Credit

Highlight Store via Flickr