CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Avery Bradley said his goal coming into the season was to expand his game.So far, so good.Bradley had 31 points on a career-high eight 3-pointers and grabbed 11 rebounds, and the Boston Celtics defeated the Charlotte Hornets 104-98 Saturday night.Bradley was 8 of 11 from beyond the arc as the Celtics shot 75 percent from the field in the fourth quarter to pull away.Bradley is averaging 21.3 points and nearly nine rebounds through three games this season.Thats my mindset this year -- Im trying to rebound, pass the ball and make plays for others, Bradley said. I work on my game every single summer and know Im trying to put it in the game.Isaiah Thomas had 24 points and seven assists and Al Horford added 14 points for the Celtics, who trailed by one entering the fourth quarter.Boston finished 15 of 31 from 3-point range, while the Hornets were just 9 of 32.Coach Brad Stevens left Bradley in the game with the second team to start the fourth quarter and the strategy paid off. Bradley was 5 of 7 from the field in the final 12 minutes and made all three 3-point attempts.Weve been starting or playing early in those quarters -- the second or fourth -- either Isaiah or Avery to try to keep one of our guards in with the second unit, Stevens said. I did think he was gassed at about the seven-minute mark. Thats why we took him back out for a couple of minutes.Hornets coach Steve Cliffford said Bradley was terrific.Especially in the stretch where they got a little bit of cushion (in the fourth quarter) which ended up being the difference in the game, Clifford said. Theyre a good team and they played well. You can see why people are saying theyll be top two or three in the East.Walker led the Hornets in their home opener with 29 points, while Frank Kaminsky had 11 points and four rebounds in his first regular season action.The Hornets spent most of the game trying to claw even with the Celtics after falling behind early. They finally took the lead on a 7-foot jumper by Nicolas Batum on the final possession of the third quarter. But the lead was short-lived as Bradley started to heat up in the fourth quarter and the Celtics built a 93-79 lead.TIP-INS:Celtics: G Marcus Smart is making progress from his left ankle sprain, but Stevens said hes not sure if Smart will play Wednesday vs. Chicago. I anticipate that hell at least go through some of Mondays practice, but I dont know if hell be live, Stevens said. ... Amir Johnson received a flagrant 1 foul when he elbowed Cody Zeller in the head on a post-up move.Hornets: Owner Michael Jordan took in the teams home opener from the end of the bench. ... C Roy Hibbert, who has had a strong start to the season, missed the game with soreness in his right knee. ... G Jeremy Lamb left the game in the second quarter with a strained left hamstring and did not return. ... The Hornets took 22 free throws in the first half; Boston just two.TOO MANY TURNOVERS:Stevens wasnt real happy with his teams 13 turnovers that led to 13 points for the Hornets.Theyre one of the best teams in the NBA at packing the paint, Stevens said. We tried to thread the needle a little bit too much.POOR DEFENSE:Clifford didnt like his teams effort on defense, particularly in the second half where they allowed 60 points.When you play defense, theres a way you do it. You have the right stance, you have the right talk, you have the right organization, Clifford said. That gives you a chance. When guys start making their own stuff up, youve got no shot against a good team. And thats what happened tonight.UP NEXT:Celtics: Host Chicago on Wednesday before heading on the road to face LeBron James and Cavaliers on Thursday.Hornets: Host Philadelphia on Wednesday, part of five home games during a six-game stretch. Jackie Robinson Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Custom Mariano Rivera Jersey . Now, correct me if Im wrong but I saw one official distinctly pointing at the net indicating a good goal but after an inconclusive review they overturned the goal. Shouldnt the ruling on the ice (good goal) stand after an inconclusive review? Why was this overturned? James Veaudry Pembroke, ON -- Hey Kerry, Youll get a lot of these, but why was the Montreal goal against Nashville Saturday night overturned? Eller puts the puck on net and the on ice ruling from the ref behind the net is a Montreal goal. http://www.customyankeesjersey.com/custom-gio-urshela-jersey-large-1944i.html .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. Custom Reggie Jackson Jersey .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6. Jorge Posada Jersey Large . Dallas hasnt ruled out the star quarterback for Sunday nights game against Philadelphia, but all signs point to Romos back injury pushing Kyle Orton into the starting role after two years of limited play as the backup. Surely Ortons name isnt the first that comes to mind for fans wanting a change after years of damaging interceptions, fumbles or, most infamously, the field goal flub when Romo dropped the snap on a kick that could have won his first playoff game in 2006. ESPN Chalks Vegas experts are here to provide analysis and best bets for all Week 7 games, including Sundays Cleveland-Cincinnati matchup.Note: All odds courtesy of the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook as of Friday morning.Home page for all Week 7 gamesMatchup: Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati BengalsSpread: Opened Cincinnati -9.5; now Cincinnati -10 Total: Opened 45.5; now 45 PickCenter public consensus pick: 588 percent CincinnatiPublic perception: No one wants to back the Browns, so the line is up to Cincinnati -10.dddddddddddd The public is still preferring to back the Bengals, even though theyre on a two-game losing streak (though those were at Dallas and New England).Wiseguys view: ' ' '