Charlotte @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 23, 2018 ) Charlotte 103, Boston 119

The Boston Celtics are winners of six of their last seven games and are deep enough to thrive even when All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving sits out. The Celtics could be without Irving again when they wrap up a five-game homestand by hosting the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday.

Irving (hip) sat out two of the last three games - appearing long enough to drop 32 points and 10 assists on the defending champion Golden State Warriors during a 115-111 setback on Saturday - and could miss one more as Boston tries to keep its star healthy for the stretch run. The Celtics were just fine without Irving on Monday, when Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown scored 21 points apiece to pace a 112-104 win over the Brooklyn Nets that improved the team's home record to 20-6. The Hornets eased past the lowly New York Knicks 101-92 on Monday at home but own a 7-17 record on the road. Charlotte's All-Star point guard, Kemba Walker, is healthy but struggling and went 8-of-28 from the floor over the last two games, including 3-of-11 from beyond the arc.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Charlotte), NBCS Boston

ABOUT THE HORNETS (24-25): Reserve shooting guard Malik Monk finished with 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting in 22 minutes on Monday but did the bulk of his damage in a key stretch in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 points during a 17-1 run that put Charlotte ahead for good. "Monk was special in the fourth," Hornets coach James Borrego told reporters. "That's what he can do. Kemba found him a couple of times and he was ready to fire. He's been working on his game. He's been ready for this moment. Give him a lot of credit." Monk was one of four reserves to score in double figures on Monday as the bench carried the load with 53 points and 25 rebounds.

ABOUT THE CELTICS (31-19): Boston survived the loss of Irving on Monday thanks to its depth on offense and a tenacious defensive effort that resulted in a franchise record-tying 16 blocks. "They just keep on going to the basket," center Al Horford, who led the way with six blocks, told reporters. "That's just what they do. We knew coming in that they attack the paint and our guys did a good job of waiting until the last second to impact the ball. We had some success with that." Horford added 14 points and 11 rebounds in the win for his third straight double-double.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Hornets C Willy Hernangomez recorded 11 points and 11 rebounds on Monday for his third double-double of the season.

2. Celtics PG Terry Rozier is averaging 14.7 points on 46.8 percent shooting in seven games starting in place of Irving.

3. The teams split the first two meetings, with Boston earning a 119-103 home win on Dec. 23 behind 25 points from Irving.

PREDICTION: Celtics 115, Hornets 103