The Hornets were struggling with slow starts earlier in the season, but that’s no longer a problem.
They have set a season high for points in a quarter during the first quarter of each of their last two games.
They scored 35 in the first quarter of a 104-91 victory over the Suns on Wednesday and followed that with a 37-point first quarter on their way to a 106-87 victory over the Grizzlies on Saturday.
“That was the best quarter we’ve had this year,” coach Byron Scott said of the outburst against the Grizzlies. “Obviously, we’re in a rhythm offensively with the first unit.”
The Hornets are 11-6 after winning for the sixth time in seven games. Their next game is at home against Charlotte on Wednesday.
“We’re making shots and we’re getting stops on the defensive end,” point guard Chris Paul said. “It seems like when one or two guys start making shots, it becomes contagious.”
The Celtics had a pretty rough schedule early, in terms of the number of games squeezed into a brief time frame. But the Pacers finished out a week with the stars when they met the Celtics Sunday.
Indiana hosted the Lakers Tuesday and went on to the road to meet the Celtics Wednesday and Cleveland Friday. That was before the return match with the Celtics in Indianapolis.
Having seen the teams with the NBA’s three top records, the Pacers seem to be giving the Celtics the early edge.
“It’s too early to tell still, but you would probably have to go with the Celtics because they’re the reigning champs,” said Jeff Foster. “They’re playing every night with a target on their back, but they’ve still managed to compile a good record. You can’t discount the Lakers or Cleveland, though. The Lakers want to get back to the Finals and LeBron (James) seems even more determined.”
Pacer coach Jim O’Brien pointed to the defensive end in his assessment of the three clubs.
“They’re all very focused on not letting the ball get into the paint,” he said. “When the ball gets into the paint, there’s going to be a collision. In Cleveland and Boston’s case, you have guys that are willing to sacrifice their bodies. When the season is over, these teams, Boston, Cleveland and L.A., will be one, two and three in field goal defense. There’s not a weak link on any of the teams from the standpoint that you just say you don’t have to worry about this guy being in the game.”
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