CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Interstat) — Fueled by a dominant second quarter and a masterful performance from Payton Pritchard, the Boston Celtics avenged a lopsided loss from earlier in the month with a decisive 114-99 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night at Spectrum Center.

In a game where national statistical models favored the home team, the Celtics flipped the script from their March 4 meeting, a 118-89 Hornets rout in Boston. This time, the Celtics seized control with a 36-point second period and never looked back, leading wire-to-wire before a crowd of 19,642.

The most critical stretch of the game arrived in the second quarter. Leading 27-21 after one, Boston unleashed a 20-4 run to start the period, transforming a competitive contest into a commanding lead. The run was a showcase of Boston’s offensive efficiency and Charlotte’s mounting frustration. It featured a trio of three-pointers — one from Baylor Scheierman and two from Jayson Tatum — and was punctuated by a Ron Harper steal and transition jumper that forced a Charlotte timeout with the Celtics ahead 47-25.

The Hornets, plagued by poor shooting and ball security all night, could not muster a response. They shot just 12 for 43 from three-point range and committed 11 turnovers, leading to a stark disparity in assists. Boston recorded 26 assists on 42 made field goals, while Charlotte managed only 12 assists on 36 makes, highlighting a stagnant offensive effort.

Pritchard, named the game’s top star, was the catalyst. The guard from Tualatin, Oregon, scored 28 points, dished out six assists and grabbed six rebounds in 37 minutes, continuing a torrid stretch of play. He orchestrated the offense with precision, particularly during the decisive second-quarter burst, and shot efficiently from the floor.

He was complemented superbly by Jayson Tatum. The All-Star forward from St. Louis scored 32 points and handed out eight assists, setting the tone early with 12 first-quarter points. Center Neemias Queta provided a major interior presence, adding 17 points and eight rebounds, while Scheierman chipped in 14 points off the bench.

Charlotte, which fell to 39-36, was led by LaMelo Ball’s 19 points, but he needed 19 shots to get there, going 2 for 11 from beyond the arc. Brandon Miller scored 13 points and rookie Liam McNeeley added 10 points and six rebounds in just 11 minutes, but the Hornets’ offense consistently sputtered, finishing with an offensive rating of just 106.4 points per 100 possessions.

Boston’s defense was relentless, recording six steals and three blocks while holding Charlotte to 43.4% shooting from the field. The Celtics, meanwhile, operated at a blistering offensive rating of 126.0, shooting over 50% from the field and 41% from three-point range.

The win improved Boston’s record to 50-24, solidifying their position near the top of the Eastern Conference. The Celtics now embark on a quick road trip to Atlanta on Monday. Charlotte, seeing a three-game home winning streak snapped, will look to regroup on the road against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.

The teams will meet again in Boston on April 7, a rematch that will carry the memory of this comprehensive Celtics response.