CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Celtics have developed a reputation under coach Joe Mazzulla as a fearless, 3-point-spraying band of long-range bombers. But over the first few weeks of this season, there has been a slight shift.
Boston entered Friday’s game against the Hornets ranked 14th in the NBA in 3-point percentage (35.3) and eighth in attempts per game (40.4), their lowest standing in both areas under Mazzulla.
But this matchup sparked a return to the familiar. The Celtics tied a franchise record by drilling 17 first-half 3-pointers, helping them roll to a 119-80 win over Charlotte in an NBA Cup group-play game. Boston improved to 2-0 in Group C, with games remaining against the Hawks and Wizards.
The Celtics finished 24 for 44 from the arc, setting season highs for made 3-pointers, and 3-point percentage (54.5). Jayson Tatum had 34 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds to lead Boston, and the lead was so massive that he and the other stars sat the entire fourth quarter.
The Hornets made just 27 of 92 shots (29.3 percent). Charlotte was without Kon Knueppel, Moussa Diabate, and Dennis Schroder. Star wing Brandon Miller left in the second quarter because of groin soreness and did not return.
On Wednesday, the Celtics coughed up a 21-point halftime lead against the Bucks before escaping with a win. But Friday’s game never became tense.
Tatum stepped into a 3-pointer from the top of the key on Boston’s first possession, igniting a roar from the Celtics fans who are always so prominent in this arena. That dart was a sign of things to come for Boston.
Paul George and Derrick White added 3-pointers, and the avalanche continued for the entire half.
There was White’s 4-point play when Miller brushed into him on an attempt, and there was Pritchard’s deep, contested line drive that gave Boston a 24-9 lead after a 6 for 8 start from beyond the arc.
At the other end, the Hornets could not keep up. Charlotte missed its first seven 3-pointers and improved only marginally after that.
Tatum has had a strong start to this season, but he was quietly mired in a long-range shooting slump. He entered Friday’s game shooting a career-low 22.9 percent from the arc, with just 11 made 3-pointers over seven games. He had almost half of that total in the first half alone.
He pulled up for one with 42.7 seconds left in the first quarter to set up a two-for-one chance, and Hauser capitalized by adding another with 14.9 seconds to play that gave Boston a 40-20 lead after one.
It becomes increasingly difficult to double up an opponent as a game progresses, but the Celtics maintained that gap for most of the first half, anyway.
With Tatum on the bench to start the second quarter, Boston mustered just 2 points over three minutes. But it hardly mattered, because the Hornets had just 3.
When Tatum checked back in midway through the quarter two more 3-pointers bookended another by Pritchard, and a Hauser 3-pointer set up by a Mitchell Robinson block made it 70-36. Boston was 17 for 31 in the half.
That rate slowed considerably in the third quarter, but there was no need to maintain it. The Celtics were 1 for 4 from the arc in the period but extended their lead closer to the basket.
Tatum found Neemias Queta for an alley-oop and Jordan Walsh for a cutting dunk, and Robinson added an alley-oop that made it 94-53. With one minute left, Tatum appeared to put an exclamation point on his night when he drilled a 3-pointer as he was fouled. It was ruled a non-shooting foul, but when Tatum stepped to the free throw line, he was serenaded with MVP chants louder than any he has received at TD Garden this season.
He checked out to a hearty ovation soon after and watched the fourth quarter from the bench.
Adam Himmelsbach can be reached at adam.himmelsbach@globe.com. Follow him @adamhimmelsbach.