Celtics Rout Hornets 119-80 as Tatum Scores 34

The Boston Celtics overwhelmed the Charlotte Hornets 119-80 on November 6 in Charlotte, improving to 2-0 in NBA Cup play. Charlotte dropped to 0-2 in the tournament and has now lost six consecutive games.

Jayson Tatum led Boston with 34 points, while also recording nine assists and eight rebounds. White added 18 points. Boston surged ahead 40-20 in the first quarter, with Tatum scoring 18 in the opening period, and built a 31-point halftime advantage after making 17 of 31 three-point attempts.

Charlotte struggled to find its footing, shooting 28% from the field in the first half and committing eight turnovers. Naz Reid scored a team-high 14 points. The Hornets had already been without starters Kon Knueppel and Moussa Diabate when Brandon Miller left during the second period because of soreness in his right groin. He had eight points and did not return.

Knueppel reinjured his hamstring on Wednesday against Brooklyn, and coach Charles Lee did not provide a return timetable. Charlotte is scheduled to host Cleveland on November 9. Boston travels to Milwaukee on November 8.