Player Grades: Boston Celtics vs Charlotte Hornets
The Boston Celtics have bounced back from three straight losses, but recovered with a victory against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night.
Isaiah Thomas was back in the lineup and starred with 26 points while Al Horford had 18 points and 5 blocks.
Player Grades
Isaiah Thomas A-
26 PTS 3 REBS 5 ASTS
He’s back! The Celtics needed him to deliver and he delivered a great performance in his first game back. While not shooting overly well, he provided five assists, including a ridiculous pass to Jae Crowder to finish off the game. Excellent return from injury.
12 PTS 7 REBS 2 ASTS
A very poor shooting night for Bradley after having a such a great one against the Spurs. 5-14 and 2-6 from three is not what we want to see, but he provided everything else he has for the season including another seven rebounds.
Marcus Smart C-
5 PTS 7 REBS 5 ASTS
Smart went back to his reserve role and had a quiet game shooting wise, but managed to get himself into the game in other ways. Seven boards and five assists are a great way to contirubte if you are not sctoing much.
Jae Crowder C+
12 PTS 5 REBS 3 ASTS
Crowder was another player who had a quiet shooting night but found other ways to stay involved, including a big three to put the Celtics in front for good in the last quarter.
Al Horford B
18 PTS 8 REBS 5 ASTS
Another very good game from Horford. 18 points was a great contribution offensively but it was on the other end where he starred against the Hornets. Five blocks including three in the third quarter helped swing the momentum back Boston’s way.
3 PTS 4 REBS 0 ASTS
Johnson got the start but was relegated to the bench for most of the secod half to combat the Hornet’s small ball lineups. Only took the one shot for the game, making him a non factor.
Kelly Olynyk C-
7 PTS 3 REBS 2 ASTS
Olynyk again struggled to have much impact on the game in his 18 minutes on the floor. He did hit 2-3 from deep but must start picking up his scoring and soon.
Terry Rozier C-
2 PTS 5 REBS 1 ASTS
Minutes went down as a result of Thomas being back and therefore didn’t take as many shots as he had in the last few games. Only took the three shots but had five rebounds in an okay night for Rozier.
9 PTS 3 REBS 3 ASTS
After a few quiet games this was a big step in the right direction for Jerebko. 4-8 from the field in his 25 minutes as he stepped in for Johnson in the second half.
Jaylen Brown played nine minutes of action but failed to have an impact on the game.
Next: Preview: Celtics vs Heat
The Celtics head to Miami on Sunday to face the Heat.