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The Boston Celtics will try to keep away from their third straight loss after they face the visiting Charlotte Hornets on Friday night time.
Boston (62-18) took a 104-91 highway loss in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, then fell 118-109 to the visiting New York Knicks on Thursday. The Celtics have been resting their starters within the fourth quarter of video games since they clinched the No. 1 seed within the Japanese Convention on April 3.
The Celtics trailed the Knicks 69-48 at halftime, and New York went on to finish Boston’s 13-game house successful streak.
“I didn’t like the trouble stage within the first half, nevertheless it’s only a robust spot to be in,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla mentioned. “I assumed our guys have dealt with (having nothing to play for) as finest as they may.
“We bumped into, in our final two video games, two groups that have been extremely, extremely determined. As a lot as we wish to have the ability to simulate that, that is simply not the place that we’re in.
“However I really do not thoughts the results of the final two video games as a result of I believe that is vital. Going (into the playoffs) with a bunch of wins and feeling good about your self is not any higher than having a little bit little bit of a bloody lip.”
The Friday matchup would be the third recreation between the Celtics and Hornets this season, with each of the earlier contests in Charlotte. The Hornets received 121-118 in extra time on Nov. 20, and Boston prevailed 118-104 on April 1.
Boston has not misplaced three video games in row this season. The Celtics additionally shall be making an attempt to keep away from taking back-to-back house losses for the primary time since January, after they misplaced to the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Hornets (20-60) have dropped six of their previous eight video games, however they’re coming off a 115-114 highway victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday. Charlotte trailed by 18 factors late within the third quarter and was down 92-77 getting into the ultimate 12 minutes.
Hornets rookie Brandon Miller scored a game-high 27 factors within the win. Tre Mann added 16 factors, seven steals and a career-high seven assists.
“Brandon was nice underneath strain,” Charlotte coach Steve Clifford mentioned. “We simply saved going, possession by possession. We have really been fairly good at that over the 12 months. They did a great job, saved their poise, got here again and made a bunch of performs late.”
Miller sank 9 of 17 pictures from the sphere, together with 5 of 11 from 3-point vary. He grew to become the fifth rookie in NBA historical past to have a minimum of seven video games of 25 factors and 5 3-pointers, becoming a member of Stephen Curry (9), Allen Iverson (eight), Trae Younger (seven) and Cade Cunningham (seven).
“Being locked in on the defensive aspect — I believe that is why we received,” Miller mentioned. “It is undoubtedly vital to play as many video games as you’ll be able to and get higher together with your teammates. I really feel like that is one of many issues we’re engaged on now. Getting higher by way of all these video games although we’re not within the playoffs or something like that. Our mentality is to exit right here and get higher.”
Charlotte will finish its season with a highway recreation in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. The Celtics will finish the common season at house versus the Washington Wizards on Sunday.