BOSTON (Interstat) — Kon Knueppel scored 20 points and the Charlotte Hornets extended their win streak to six games with a decisive 118-89 victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night at TD Garden. The Hornets never trailed before a crowd of 19,156, leading by as many as 29 points while committing only five turnovers. Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball each added 18 points for Charlotte, which moved above .500 for the first time since October. Coby White finished with 17 points and six assists. Jaylen Brown led Boston with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Derrick White added a game-high 29 points in the loss. Charlotte built a double-digit lead in the first quarter and maintained firm control throughout, outscoring Boston in every period.

BOSTON (Interstat) — The Charlotte Hornets, a team surging with purpose, delivered a statement performance on the road Wednesday night, dismantling the Boston Celtics 118-89 at TD Garden to extend their winning streak to six games and climb above .500 for the first time in over four months. From the opening tip, the Hornets imposed their will. Rookie Kon Knueppel led a balanced Charlotte attack with 20 points, while Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball each added 18. The Hornets never trailed, opening the game on a 14-0 run that set a dominant tone for the evening before a crowd of 19,156. Boston missed its first eight field goal attempts and committed two turnovers before finally getting on the board nearly four minutes into the contest. The most critical phase of the game was that initial blitz. Charlotte’s defense was suffocating, forcing difficult shots and capitalizing on every Boston miscue with crisp transition offense. Moussa Diabate, named the top star for Charlotte, was instrumental in the early surge, setting the tone with a driving dunk for the game’s first points and facilitating the offense with sharp passing. His all-around effort of nine points, nine rebounds and six assists in 29 minutes epitomized Charlotte’s cohesive play. The Celtics, who entered as heavy favorites with a 73.3% win probability according to National Statistical’s ELO system, looked out of sorts from the outset. They failed to cover the 5.5-point spread as Charlotte’s lead ballooned to as many as 29 points. Despite a game-high 29 points from Derrick White and a 20-point, 11-rebound, seven-assist effort from Jaylen Brown, Boston could never mount a serious challenge. The Celtics shot poorly throughout and were plagued by stagnant offense, a stark contrast to Charlotte’s fluid ball movement that resulted in only five team turnovers. Charlotte’s control was comprehensive. They led 35-23 after one quarter, extended the advantage to 64-43 by halftime, and maintained a comfortable 91-68 margin heading into the fourth. The Hornets’ bench provided crucial support, with Coby White scoring 17 points and dishing six assists. Every time Boston showed a flicker of momentum, Charlotte had an answer, often from a different player, underscoring the team’s collective confidence. The victory improved Charlotte’s record to 32-31, marking a significant milestone for a team that last held a winning record on Oct. 26. This stretch, which includes decisive wins over Dallas, Portland, Indiana and Chicago, signals a dramatic mid-season turnaround. Boston, one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams, fell to 41-21 with the surprising home loss, which followed a strong stretch of their own that included a 27-point win over Brooklyn just days prior. The 207 combined points fell well under the over/under line of 216, a testament to Charlotte’s defensive intensity against a typically potent Celtics offense. The Hornets now look to continue their run when they host the Miami Heat on Friday. Boston, seeking to rebound, will face the Dallas Mavericks at home on Friday.

Preview: Surging Hornets Face Celtics at TD Garden BOSTON (Interstat) — A surging Charlotte Hornets squad will look to continue its climb up the standings when they visit the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on Wednesday night. The Hornets (30-31) have won five of their last six games, including a dominant 109-93 victory over Portland on Saturday. Their recent success has been fueled by the explosive play of second-year forward Brandon Miller. Over his last 10 games, Miller is averaging 22.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists, including a 33-point, seven-rebound performance in a win over Indiana last week. Charlotte’s offense has been potent during this stretch, scoring at least 109 points in nine of those 10 contests. In their recent win over Portland, Miller led the way with 26 points and eight rebounds, while Moussa Diabate posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards. They face a stiff challenge in Boston (41-20), which sits near the top of the Eastern Conference. The Celtics are coming off a commanding 108-81 road win over Milwaukee on Monday. While Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown remain the focal points, rookie guard Hugo Gonzalez has provided impactful minutes off the bench. Gonzalez logged a season-high 35 minutes against the Bucks, recording a double-double with 18 points and 16 rebounds. Boston has won seven of its last eight games, with its defense holding opponents under 100 points in three of those victories. The Celtics won the previous meeting between these teams this season, 114-98, on March 1 in Boston. The Celtics have been installed as 5.5-point favorites for Wednesday’s matchup, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The over/under is set at 216 points. Following this game, Charlotte begins a four-game Western Conference road trip in Phoenix on Sunday. Boston continues a tough stretch of its schedule, hosting the Dallas Mavericks on Friday before embarking on a three-game road trip.