Celtics have surprise test Wednesday that’s flying completely under the radar

If Celtics fans had March 4th circled on their calendars, it was most likely because that was a possible predicted return date for Jayson Tatum (hand up). The team’s first game after his March 3rd birthday, it seemed like a logical target date. But Tuesday’s injury report indicated that JT remains out, and we have received no tangible update on a timeline of any kind.

Even though Tatum won’t be making his season debut, Wednesday night’s game has quietly gained a ton of intrigue lately as the hottest team in the NBA, the Charlotte Hornets are coming to town.

The Hornets started the season 16-28, and appeared headed to the draft lottery yet again, but Charles Lee and his crew have completely turned things around, winning 15 of their last 18, getting all the way to 31-31, where they sit as they come to Boston, the first time they’ve been .500 or better since 2-2.

They’ve struck gold with an elite offense, a very fun style of play, and a starting lineup of LaMelo Ball, budding star Brandon Miller, sensational rookie Kon Knueppel, an underrated big man having almost as good a season as Neemias Queta, and Miles Bridges, which has gone 19-2 on the season.

Hornets a potential first-round playoff matchup for Celtics

And with their recent surge, the Hornets have gotten into the play-in and maybe even the playoff mix. They’ve shot up the standings, now in ninth place in the East, just 2 games back of the Magic and Heat for seventh, and just 2.5 games behind the 76ers for the six seed. 

With 20 games left in the season, there’s no reason this smoking-hot Hornets team can’t keep climbing. And with the Celtics locked in a tight battle with the Knicks for the two seed, there’s suddenly a very real possibility that the Cs could be looking at Charlotte as a first-round playoff opponent.

That would have seemed like a laughable proposition a couple of months ago, but now it could actually be a little scary. The Hornets have the fourth-best offense in the league and 16th-best defense for the whole season, with those numbers only rising.

Charlotte turning into Boston South

They may be lacking in experience, but adding Coby White at the trade deadline and getting Grant Williams back from injury recently have helped. And don’t forget, our old friend Charles Lee has been on the bench as an assistant for title runs in Boston and Milwaukee.

It has taken some time, but Lee has built this team with his vision, and we're starting to see results. Much like the Celtics, they are one of the most successful and highest volume three-point shooting teams, and they are relentless on the offensive and defensive glass. But unlike the Cs, they have a major issue with turning the ball over, 29th in the league in that department.

I’m not saying Charlotte is a threat to win the title, but they’re a dangerous team. They’re on night two of a back-to-back, but nothing has slowed them down recently. Wednesday night should be a good measuring stick for both teams; a chance for the Hornets to show they’re ready to make some noise in the East, and for the Celtics to get a quality win against a team that’s playing like the class of the league.