Tired Hornets Fall to Celtics, 116-104

I used to always talk about the Bobcats losing games that they shouldn’t have and winning games that they shouldn’t have.  I used to talk about how when we would play a team worse than us, we would play down to their level.  Last night, at home, with playoff implications pending, the Hornets did not need to lose the game.  Unfortunately, they did lose, 116 – 104.  The Celtics, ahead of us in the standings, have gone from what looked like a fire sale team, to a team that could very well be the #8 seed in the playoffs this year.  Despite 28 points, 12 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals from Kemba Walker, the Hornets just could not stop Avery Bradley (30 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists) and company from shooting 50%+ from the field and winning the game.

Kemba had help from the rest of the team in the scoring category.  5 players in double figures still was not enough.  Mo Williams had 19, Gerald Henderson had 17, Al Jefferson had 12, and Marvin Williams had 10.  We even shot 47.1% from the floor.  We were outrebounded, out-assisted, out-stolen, and just plain outplayed.  I suppose exhaustion is a factor, but even Coach Clifford put it best when he said that he has yet to find a great combo off of the bench that really works for us.  This comment was also being made because of Lance Stephenson’s DNP-CD.

So what’s next?  No rest for the weary as the Detroit Pistons will come into the Hive tomorrow night.  It is a winnable game.  We have 9 regular season games left, and if we want to be in those playoffs this year, we better win at least 7 of them.  Who are the last 9 games?  In addition to the Pistons, we have the Pacers, Sixers, Heat, Raptors, Hawks, Pistons again, Rockets, and closing out the regular season with the Raptors again.  Are there 7 winnable games in there?  Hopefully, there are 2 wins against the Pistons, a win against the Sixers…and then I get concerned.  I believe we can beat the Heat, but so much rides on when Cody Zeller and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist return.  Those guys have been sorely missed.  And speaking of sore, Al Jefferson is far from 100% and playing on a knee that is getting drained multiple times a week.  We’re limping towards the close of the season, and I just am starting to have my concerns as to how this season closes out.

I guess we’ll see what transpires over these next 9 games.  Rest up guys, 2 more back-to-backs are coming up.  Regroup, rest up, and battle to the end.

Let’s Go Hornets!