The Boston Celtics looked like a team that had turned over a new leaf by knocking down a bunch of 3-pointers in the first quarter against Charlotte.
And then … they just turned the ball over which made for a tightly contested first half which ended with Boston ahead 44-41.
Boston’s Avery Bradley nailed a 3-pointer with 11.5 seconds to play in the half that proved to be the final made basket after two quarters of play.
It was a fitting end to a half in which the Celtics relied heavily on the 3-point shot.
The Celtics, looking to bounce back from a road loss at Chicago on Thursday, made five of its first six 3-point attempts to lead by as many as 14 points.
But the Hornets, with a little help (OK, a lot of help) from the Celtics and their turnovers, chipped away at Boston’s lead and made it a one-possession game for a significant chunk of the second quarter.
Charlotte made one last surge late in the second quarter and tied it up at 41 following a pair of free throws by Michael Kidd-Gilchrist only for Bradley to drain a 3-ball that gave the Celtics a 3-point lead at the half.
Boston Celtics
Here are the first half Stars, Studs and Duds from tonight’s game.
STAR
Avery Bradley: It’s still early but Bradley has been the Celtics’ best all-around player in terms of scoring, rebounding and of course, defense. At the half he had 15 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.
STUDS
Isaiah Thomas: Boston’s top scorer had a solid first half for Boston, scoring 10 points on 4-for-7 shooting from the field.
Jae Crowder: He didn’t shoot the ball particularly well in the first half, but he was among the Celtics to do a better-than-average rebounding the ball as he grabbed seven in the first half.
Spencer Hawes: He was doing his part to help fill the stat sheet for the Hornets, scoring four points to go with four rebounds in addition to tallying two assists and two steals and a blocked shot in just under 11 minutes.
DUDS
Kemba Walker: A borderline all-star the past couple of years, the Celtics did a nice job of keeping him in check. He had five points while missing five of his six shots from the field in addition to turning the ball over three times.