Big fourth
Tatum helps Celtics top Hornets, 102-91
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Rookie Jayson Tatum said he is beginning to feel more comfortable with the NBA game. It's beginning to show, too.
Tatum scored 10 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, helping the Boston Celtics beat the Charlotte Hornets 102-91 on Wednesday night.
"Tatum stepped up for us," said Al Horford, who had 20 points and 11 rebounds. "He's not afraid of the moment. One thing that helps him is he stays poised, very focused. It doesn't matter how the game has been going up until that point. He seems to make the right plays down the stretch."
Tatum had two fastbreaks dunks and a nifty baseline drive in which he blew past Dwight Howard before drawing a foul as the Celtics broke open a tight game in the fourth.
"It comes with the amount games we've played," Tatum said. "Each and every day I'm getting more comfortable and getting into a rhythm."
Kyrie Irving led Boston with 21 points. The Celtics had dropped three of four, including a 111-103 loss to visiting Washington on Christmas Day.
Kemba Walker scored 24 points and Howard had 12 points and 17 rebounds for the Hornets, who are in the midst of a freefall down the Eastern Conference standings. Charlotte has lost 13 of 17 ahead of a fourgame West Coast trip beginning Friday night at Golden State.
With Boston leading by four early in the fourth quarter, Tatum scored on an alley-oop dunk on a fast break.AP