Celtics Beat Hornets 114-93 as Mazzulla Tries Two-Center Lineup

The Boston Celtics beat the Charlotte Hornets 114-93 in a preseason game on the night of October 14, moving to 3-0 in exhibition play, the Boston Globe reported.

Coach Joe Mazzulla used a double-big lineup pairing centers Mitchell Robinson and Neemias Queta for the first time in camp, inserting them together in the second quarter without advance notice. Mazzulla said he wanted to see how the pairing functioned and described the move as "just exploring," citing the roster's depth.

Robinson said the assignment caught the two players off guard and that the spacing was rough at the start before settling. Queta said the combination gives Boston size and rebounding in the paint, and that coordinating running lanes would take time.

Jayson Tatum had 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Derrick White scored 17 points with a team-high four steals, and Payton Pritchard recorded 11 assists without a turnover. The Celtics forced 29 turnovers. Robinson, who signed with Boston in the summer after eight seasons with the New York Knicks, finished with 12 points and seven rebounds, including several alley-oops from Tatum. Queta added 16 points off the bench and attempted several 3-pointers.

Mazzulla started the same five players for a second straight game: Tatum, Paul George, Jordan Walsh, Robinson and White.

This story was first reported by The Boston Globe.