Continuing their journey on the road, the Boston Celtics will conclude their trip with a showdown against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night.
Securing the top seed in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics are on the verge of clinching the top overall seed with just eight games remaining on their schedule.
Meanwhile, the Hornets have been out of playoff contention for a long time and are now playing for pride. Kickoff for this Eastern Conference clash is scheduled for tonight.
Celtics Stay on Top
Chasing the coveted first overall seed, the Boston Celtics have just one final hurdle to overcome in the 2023-24 season. After securing the top seed in the Eastern Conference, they are on the verge of securing the first overall seed early.
In their recent matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, the Celtics avoided a potential three-game losing streak by prevailing with a 104-92 victory.
Jayson Tatum led the charge with 23 points, while Kristaps Porzingis chipped in with 19 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks, propelling the Celtics to a 58-16 record, the best in the NBA.
Reflecting on the victory, Porzingis emphasized the importance of maintaining a winning mentality, highlighting the team's ability to bounce back from setbacks.
As they prepare to face the Hornets, the Celtics are looking to avenge their previous loss this season. Despite falling 121-118 in Charlotte last November, both teams have undergone significant changes since then.
The Celtics have top-tier rankings in several statistical categories, excelling in offense, defense and three-point shooting.
Defensively, led by Porzingis and backed by the formidable guard duo of Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, they are among the best in field goal shooting defense.
On the injury front, the Celtics do not have any key players out for Monday night's game. However, it is important to be on the lookout for possible changes near the start of the game, considering the team's recent practice of resting important players.
TONIGHT ☘️ Celtics at @hornets
⏰ 7:00 PM
📺 @NBCSBoston
🎙️ @985TheSportsHub #DifferentHere pic.twitter.com/LUFTl7F0AW- Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 1, 2024
Hornets Continue to Face Challenges
For much of this season, the Charlotte Hornets have been devoid of the usual enthusiasm that surrounds them. Ranked 13th in the Eastern Conference, they have endured a tumultuous journey marked by setbacks.
In an attempt to rejuvenate its lineup, the team initiated a series of trades at the deadline, highlighted by the departure of point guard Terry Rozier and small forward Gordon Hayward.
In addition, the absence of All-Star point guard LeMelo Ball, sidelined with an ankle injury for a significant portion of the season and now out for the remainder of the season, has further complicated their challenges.
As they prepare to face the Miami Heat at home on Sunday night, the Hornets find themselves in a precarious situation, having suffered seven losses in their last 10 games.
Amidst the gloom, one ray of light for the Hornets has been the resurgence of Miles Bridges. Once saddled with off-court issues, Bridges has emerged as a pivotal player for the team, cementing his role as a regular starter.
Filling the void left by Ball's absence, he now leads the team in scoring, assists and field goal percentage.
His stellar contributions have proven indispensable, especially in light of the lack of veteran presence on the team following the moves made at the trade deadline and Ball's absence.