NBA: Charlotte Hornets vs. Boston Celtics Odds, Preview and Prediction

The Boston Celtics and the Charlotte Hornets are just very close to one another in the East standings. They are both competing to reach the playoffs, and avoid the play-in tournament. These two teams are direct rivals, which adds more spice to this event. Both are playing solid in recent times, often scoring 120 or more points. It’ll be a pleasure to watch LaMelo and Bridges on one and Tatum and Brown on the other side. They usually deliver showtime in the building.

Preview

Charlotte Hornets (28-23, TBA) are 9-4 in the last 13 matches, but they kinda lost the pace in the previous five, winning only twice. After demolishing the Pacers on the road, 158-126, they beat the Lakers at home, 117-14, and then lost to the LA Clippers pretty easily, 115-90.

The Hornets were close to the Clips pretty much all the time, but they fell apart in the final period, losing it 31-14, simply freezing in the attack. In the end, Charlotte had 32.7% of shooting from the field, and 23.5% from three, hitting only eight of 34 attempts. They would allow the Clips to control the glass as well, 58-46 in boards.

LaMelo had 23 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds, Miles Bridges scored 18, missing all six three-point attempts, while four players had 10 points – Plumlee, Rozier, Washington, and Bouknight. The starting lineup was 5-for-23 for three.

Boston Celtics (27-25, TBA) look very solid over the last seven days and more, winning four of five games throughout that period. The only failure was in Atlanta against the Hawks, but the Cs regrouped quickly afterward, beating the Pelicans in New Orleans and the Heat at TD Garden.

A win over Miami was a routine one, 122-92. Boston used the fact that the Heat played without Lowry and Butler and imposed its style of play. Both Brown and Tatum were free on the offensive side, having 49 points combined, Brown 29 and Tatum 20. The latter added 12 boards as well.

Marcus Smart had 16 points with seven assists, while veteran center Al Horford scored 14 and had nine boards. A very big reason for the victory was Boston’s good control of the glass, allowing Miami only 38 points. Also, the difference was made due to respective shooting percentages, Miami 39.1%, Boston 52.4%.

Head to Head Games

There have been two direct meetings between the Celtics and the Hornets this season. The first was in Charlotte, and the guests triumphed in that one. They needed two overtimes to seal a 140-129 victory. Meanwhile, the second event, at TD Garden, finished with the Hornets getting even, 111-102. As you can see, the home-court advantage didn’t mean anything to these two sides.

Prediction

When looking at the overall picture, we give a slight edge to the Celtics. Charlotte can’t count on Kelly Oubre, the one guy who could slow down Boston’s attacking duo due to his above-average physical abilities. Also, we saw the Hornets simply unconvincing on several occasions in the last seven days, which isn’t the case with the Cs lately. Brown and Tatum feel the rhythm, and they pour baskets from all over the place, so we simply have to side with the home unit in this game.

Pick: Boston Celtics Win

Here is the preview for the Nets vs. Kings game.