Both the Boston Celtics and the Charlotte Hornets have a primary goal for the rest of the season - make the playoffs. The Celtics were only a half-game behind the eighth seeded Brooklyn Nets coming in.
With a win on Monday night, Boston could improve to a 33-41 record, which would put them just ahead of the Nets on winning percentage. The Hornets weren't far behind coming into this matchup either. Holding a 31-41 record entering the contest, Charlotte was only a half game in the trail of the Celtics.
This matchup was extremely high scoring - Boston had six players in double-digits, Charlotte had five, and both teams passed the century mark in their final scores. All quarters in this one cancelled each other out for the most part, except for the second quarter.
That's when the Celtics separated themselves.
Less than two minutes into the period, the Celtics went on an incredible shooting run. 9 of 11 straight possessions for Boston ended in scores. That run ended with about five minutes remaining in the half, and by that time, the Celtics had attained a 48-37 lead over the Hornets.
Boston kept on pushing, gaining a 12-point halftime lead. Five straight unanswered points to start the third quarter led to the extension of the lead into a 17-point one, and it was maintained to the point that reached a peak of 20 points within three minutes of the third period's end.
In the fourth, Kemba Walker empowered his team on a ferocious comeback to cut the lead to six with 52 seconds to go in regulation. From there, Boston made 8 of 8 free throws to seal the game, victorious at 116-104.
Avery Bradley was stellar for Boston, scoring 30 points and grabbing eight rebounds from the combo guard position. Five others on the Celtics scored in double figures - Evan Turner scored 15 with six rebounds and five assists, Marcus Smart (six rebounds, four assists) and Jae Crowder each scored 14, Kelly Olynyk scored 11 and Isaiah Thomas with 10.
Walker led Charlotte with a double-double of 28 points and 12 assists, and Mo Williams added 19 points. Gerald Henderson had 17 before fouling out, and Al Jefferson contributed 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Also, Marvin Williams scored 10.
This result puts the Celtics back into the eighth slot in the East, and slides Charlotte back in the standings. It also clinches the Washington Wizards a playoff spot this coming postseason. The Wizards (41-33) are currently in the fifth seed, the last team in the East with a winning record.
The battle of the below-.500 teams is on. Boston and Brooklyn look like the frontrunners, and the Celtics now are riding the momentum of this win.