Payton Pritchard is averaging 16.9 points per game.
Payton Pritchard is averaging 16.9 points per game.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Beginning the season with three consecutive losses and a roster remade by offseason transactions, the Celtics found themselves in a unique position. Missing their superstar Jayson Tatum, rehabbing from an Achilles injury, did nothing to help the state of the team.
How times have changed.
The Celtics (49-24) have persevered, currently commanding the second spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Boston leads the Knicks by a game and a half in the race for the Atlantic Division crown.
Boston allows 106.9 points per game, the best mark in the NBA.
In the group’s last game, the Celtics turned away the red-hot Hawks, winning 109-102. Atlanta had won 14 of their last 15 games entering Thursday’s game.
The Hornets claimed the first meeting of the season on Mar. 4, dominating en route to a 118-89 decision.
Charlotte (39-35) occupies the final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference. Here’s the preview:
When: Sunday, 6 p.m.
Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, N.C.
TV, radio: NBCSB, WROR-FM 105.7
Line: Boston -1. O/U: 216.0.
CELTICS
Season record: 49-24. vs. spread: 42-31. Over/under: 26-47
Last 10 games: 7-3. vs. spread: 5-5. Over/under: 4-6
HORNETS
Season record: 39-35. vs. spread: 46-27, 1 push. Over/under: 28-46
Last 10 games: 7-3. vs. spread: 5-5. Over/under: 3-7
TEAM STATISTICS
Points per game: Boston 114.1, Charlotte 116.3
Points allowed per game: Boston 106.9, Charlotte 111.7
Field goal percentage: Boston .463, Charlotte .460
Opponent field goal percentage: Boston .441, Charlotte .467
3-point percentage: Boston .361, Charlotte .381
Opponent 3-point percentage: Boston .356, Charlotte .359
Stat of the day: The Celtics average 15.2 made 3-pointers per game –– good for third in the league -- while shooting 36.1 percent from downtown.
Notes: The Hornets are 7-3 in their last 10 games ... The teams will meet for a third and final time on April 7 in Boston ... Following a five-game winning streak, the Hornets lost to the 76ers, 118-114, on Saturday ... Derrick White leads the team with 2.8 made 3-pointers per game. He shoots 32.3 percent from beyond the arc ... Boston has won six of its last seven contests ... Sunday’s game kicks off a four-game road trip for the Celtics ... Jaylen Brown (left Achilles tendonitis), Neemias Queta (right thumb sprain), and Derrick White (right knee contusion) are all questionable to play ... Nikola Vucevic will not play as he recovers from a fractured right ring finger.
Cam Kerry can be reached at cam.kerry@globe.com.