NBA 2018-19: 3 Talking Points from the Boston Celtics' win over the Charlotte Hornets

Final Score: Boston Celtics defeated Charlotte Hornets, 119-103

After two straight losses at home, the Boston Celtics hosted Charlotte Hornets, who were coming off a victory against the Detroit Pistons. This was the first of their three-match regular-season series.

The Celtics played to their true potential and picked up a convincing win. After starting hot in the first quarter, the Celtics went into halftime with a 21 point lead. The Hornets showed some fighting spirit in the second half but it was not enough to defeat the Celtics.

Kemba Walker led the Hornets' scoring with 21 points. However, apart from Walker, none of the Hornets' starters could get it going and the team suffered a tough loss. Willy Hernanogomez came off the bench and had a 19-point double-double but could not help the team to victory. Let us take a look at three of the talking points from this game.

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#3 Celtics' three-game skid ends

Celtics dominated the Hornets throughout the game. Credit: Bangor Daily News

After winning eight streak games, the Celtics lost three-straight games and received a lot of flake. They were finally able to end the three-game losing streak after dominating the Hornets throughout the game and picking up the win.

The Celtics looked comfortable for the entire duration of the game and the Hornets were never really in the game. Even though the Hornets surged late in the fourth quarter, the game was all but over by then as they had a huge 94-67 lead at the end of three quarters.

With a tough road schedule ahead, this win will help the Celtics develop some confidence that can help them to build some momentum. The Celtics are currently placed fifth in the Eastern Conference.

#2 Both the teams struggle from the three-point line

Both the teams shot poorly from the three-point line

Charlotte Hornets' three-point stats: 8-for-32 (25%)

Boston Celtics' three-point stats: 13-for-39 (33.3%)

While the two teams have shooters who can get hot in no time and knock them down from distance, both the teams had a tough time connecting from behind the arc last night. While the Celtics' starters were impressive and combined for 11-for-22 from the three-point land, the Hornets' starters only shot 5-for-22 from downtown.

No one on the Hornets team could make any impact from the three-point line as the Celtics' defenders did a great job of putting bodies on the Hornets' players. Boston defense did not give the Hornets any open looks and the Celtics showed why they are one of the best defensive teams in the league.

The Boston Celtics are currently ranked third in the defensive rating stats this season and with a team full of defensive minded players, they can pose a lot of threat to the teams in the playoffs during a best of seven series.

#1 Kyrie Irving's red-hot shooting night

Kyrie Irving led the team with 25 points performance. Credit: NBC Sports

Stat line: 25 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and a block on 75.0 % shooting

Kyrie Irving started hot and exploded for 17 points in the first quarter. Despite Irving's ridiculous shooting, the Celtics only gained a three-point lead at the end of the first quarter. The Hornets' defenders had no answer for Kyrie as he knocked down a couple of mid-range jumpers to get it going.

Irving's fire-power scoring ended after the end of first quarter as he only tallied 8 points in the other three quarters but used his playmaking ability to toss dimes to his teammates. Irving finished the game with 25 points, to go along with 4 rebounds and 5 assists.

The 26-year-old is shooting at a career-high 48.4 % from the field this season and against the Hornets, he shot at an eye-catching 75.0 percentage from the floor.