Miles Bridges’ 3-pointer with 6.6 seconds left in OT helps Hornets beat Celtics; Tatum scores 45

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Miles Bridges hit a 3-pointer with 6.6 seconds left in overtime and the Charlotte Hornets snapped a six-game home losing streak with a 121-118 victory over the Boston Celtics on Monday night.

LaMelo Ball finished with 36 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, and Gordon Hayward added 20 points for the Hornets, who battled back from an 18-point deficit.

Jayson Tatum finished with 45 points but missed a free throw with 5.2 seconds left that would have tied the game after he was fouled on a three-point shot. He had made the first two before the crucial miss.

Gordon Hayward made two free throws to give Charlotte a three-point lead with 0.8 remaining, and Bridges stole the inbounds pass to seal the victory.

Mark Williams had 18 points and 16 rebounds for Charlotte.

Peyton Pritchard had 21 points on five 3s for Boston, which had its six-game winning streak snapped.

Tatum matched a career-high with 31 points in the first half and Pritchard added four threes as the Celtics built a 65-54 lead at the break.

Coming into the game after four games, the Hornets held on and cut the lead to two early in the fourth quarter before the Celtics got an unexpected score from Pritchard, Svi Mykhailiuk and Sam Hauser, who all hit 3s to extend the lead to increase. lead to 11.

But Charlotte cut the lead to two with 22 seconds left when Williams put back an offensive rebound.

Jrue Holiday was fouled on the ensuing possession, but missed both free throws with 10.3 seconds left, giving the Hornets a chance to tie or win the game. Ball received the side pass, drove to the basket and scored to tie the score with 7.2 seconds left.

Houser had a chance to win the award at the end of regulation, but missed the buzzer.

The ball was big in overtime, scoring on a left-handed layup high above the glass to give Charlotte the lead. With the game tied, Ball found Bridges on the left wing for an open look and the southpaw hit a 3-pointer.

Bridges made his first start of the season for the Hornets in his third game since returning from a league-imposed 10-game suspension, taking charge of a struggling PJ Washington.

Bridges finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds.

The Celtics rested Al Horford and Derrick White did not play due to personal reasons.

NEXT ONE

Celtics: Return home to take on Milwaukee on Wednesday night.

Hornets: The Hornets conclude a five-game homestand against Washington on Wednesday night.