The NBA trade deadline has come to pass, and neither the Charlotte Hornets nor Boston Celtics made major moves. They meet next on the NBA schedule and will be broadcast to a nationally televised audience, too.
Boston has dominated its guests traditionally but will need to be sharp, with a few key players expected to be out. Here is what fans need to know before making Hornets vs Celtics betting picks.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Boston Celtics Odds
Somehow, the NBA odds today heavily favor the Celtics. Looking at records alone, it makes sense that Boston is -450 on the moneyline and -10 against the spread, but there is a lot more to one of the more dominated NBA matchups. The Hornets are +10 against the spread and +350 on the moneyline. The over/under is 226.5.
In the 119 regular season games played between these teams, the Celtics have 74 wins, and the Hornets have 45 wins. That includes three Celtics wins this season by an average margin of 21.0 points.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Boston Celtics Information
Charlotte Hornets vs Boston Celtics
Location of the Game: TD Garden, Boston, MA.
Date and Time: Friday, February 10, 2023, 7:30 PM ET.
How to Watch: ESPN | NBA League Pass |NBC Sports Boston | Bally Sports Network | https://livestreamsports.co/
Charlotte Hornets vs. Boston Celtics Analysis
Charlotte Hornets Performance Recap and Analysis
The NBA could seemingly lock in the four franchises who will have the best odds at landing the No. 1 pick, and the Hornets have the third-worst record among NBA teams. It is questionable how far down the Charlotte Hornets standings are given they have one of the game’s best stars in LaMelo Ball, who is averaging 23.1 points, 8.0 assists, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game according to NBA player stats.
But those stats do not mean as much when the team can not play defense. The Hornets are third worst in the league in allowing 118.6 points per game. They are 24th in allowing teams to convert 48.1% of field goal attempts and 36.7% of 3-point attempts. Charlotte is second worst in allowing opponents to grab 46.5 rebounds per game.
One would think that with seven players averaging at least 10 points per game, the offense would be great, but it is not. The Hornets are 24th in scoring 111.9 points per game and are worst in the league in efficiency, converting 45.2% of field goal attempts and 32.1% of 3-point shots. They are, however, seventh in rebounding at 45.0 per game.
Key Injuries
Forward Kelly Oubre Jr. is out until late February with a hand injury, and fellow forward Cody Martin is out indefinitely with a knee injury, according to the NBA injury report.
Betting Trends to Know
Here is some important data on Charlotte to consider before getting to Hornets vs Celtics betting picks. The Hornets are 23-30-2 against the spread and 27-28-1 on over/unders this season. They are 8-24 straight up on the road. Recent trends show the under is 5-0 in their last five games.
Charlotte has been underdogs in 43 of its games this season. The Hornets are 7-3-1 against the spread when underdogs of 10 points or more and 18-22-3 as underdogs against the spread.
Boston Celtics Performance Recap and Analysis
The Celtics have been very good on both ends of the court, and it shows as they are the best team in the league as it closes in on the All-Star break. Perhaps the best additions are going to be their own guys from injuries.
NBA team stats show the Celtics are fifth in scoring 117.4 points per game. They are 14th in total efficiency, converting 47.4% of field goal attempts and seventh from the 3-point range, making 37.4% of those attempts. They are the best team at the free throw line, making 82.8% of charity shots, and are sixth in grabbing 45.0 rebounds per game.
Defensively, the Celtics are fifth in holding opponents to 111.4 points per game. The efficiency numbers are good, too, ranking seventh at holding teams to 46.4% on field goal attempts and ranking ninth in holding them to 35.1% on 3-point shots.
Key Injuries
Oddsmakers obviously knew that Marcus Smart (ankle) is out until the middle of February and Jaylen Brown (face) is out indefinitely, but Jayson Tatum is the wild card as he is questionable due to an illness. Be on the lookout for the Boston Celtics latest news regarding his status and that of centers Robert Williams III (ankle) and Al Horford (knee), who are each probable.
Betting Trends to Know
The Celtics have been very good this season but are only 28-26-1 against the spread and 26-28-1 on over/unders. They are 21-7 straight up at home. They have dominated the series with the Hornets, sporting a 9-2-1 against the spread record in the last 12 meetings in Boston, and are 22-6-1 against the spread in the last 29 meetings, regardless of location.
Boston has been favored in 52 games this season, and in 27 of those games, it has been favored by 7.5 points or more. Though, the Celtics are 3-6 against the spread when favored by 10 points or more.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Boston Celtics Betting Picks
Before getting into our Hornets vs Celtics betting picks, NBA picks today show that 72% of bets are on the Celtics against the spread, and another 52% of picks are on the over. Now, here are our picks:
Moneyline: Celtics -450; the Celtics have better talent and the best player if Tatum is well enough to play. Even if he isn’t, Malcolm Brogdon, Derrick White, and a platoon of forwards should be enough to get the job.
Spread: Celtics -10; Brown did not play in the two games in Charlotte this season, and Boston was still able to cover a spread better than eight points. But if Tatum sits, we become weary and may flip.
Over/Under: Total – Over 226.5; Two of the three meetings this season have gone over, and the lone under was set at 232 points and was off by four.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Boston Celtics Score Predictions
NBA Pick: Celtics 120, Hornets 107
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