Sports
Jayson Tatum scores 34 as the Celtics blow out the Hornets 119-80 in NBA Cup play
Jayson Tatum had 34 points nine assists and eight rebounds as Boston demolished Charlotte 119-80 for a 2-0 Emirates NBA Cup start.
Boston turned Friday into a three-point clinic in Charlotte.
Jayson Tatum scored 34 points with nine assists and eight rebounds and Derrick White added 18 as the Celtics demolished the Hornets 119-80 in Emirates NBA Cup play.
Boston improved to 2-0 in group play and to seven wins in its last eight games. Charlotte fell to 0-2 in the Cup.
Lead never in doubt
The Celtics made 17 of 31 threes in the first half and led by 31 at the break. Tatum scored 18 in the first quarter alone on three threes while White added 10.
Tatum stayed in until late in the third with Boston up by more than 40 as the visitors padded Cup point differential.
Hornets short-handed
Naz Reid led Charlotte with 14 points. Starters Kon Knueppel and Moussa Diabate did not play and Brandon Miller left in the second quarter with right groin soreness after eight points.
The Hornets have lost six straight since coach Charles Lee benched Reid earlier this season for not meeting team standards. Boston visits Milwaukee on Sunday.
More like this
Cade Cunningham scores 33 as the Pistons rout the Hornets 124-91 in Coby White's season debut
Hawks rout the Hornets 128-81 for the biggest win in franchise history as Charlotte fans boo
No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa scores 17 in his home debut as the Wizards rout the Hornets 95-79
Celtics pull away from the Hornets 114-93 to stay perfect in the preseason