The Charlotte Hornets (13-22) and the Boston Celtics (22-8) battle at Spectrum Center. The Hornets are 6.5-point underdogs and will try to snap their five-game losing streak. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 208.5 points and it begins at 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 31, 2019.
Boston Celtics at Charlotte Hornets Betting Odds
Both teams were beaten in their last contest. The Hornets (3-point underdogs) were defeated by the Memphis Grizzlies, 117-104, while the Celtics (7-point favorites) fell to the Toronto Raptors, 113-97. The Charlotte game finished 1 point over the projected point total of 220, while the Boston game went 7 points under the projected point total of 217.
Boston did an excellent job of getting to and converting from the charity stripe (28-36; 77.8 percent) while Charlotte had a free throw rate of 0.244 (above their season average of 0.186). Devonte’ Graham fueled Charlotte with 16 points and 10 assists. Meanwhile, Boston rallied around Kemba Walker, who finished with 30 points.
In their two matchups this year, the Celtics have won both. In their most recent game, the two teams combined for 212 points, just over the projected point total of 209. Boston won 119-93, covering as a 13-point favorite. Boston won the rebounding battle. The Celtics had more offensive rebounds (10 vs. two), defensive rebounds (47 vs. 25) and total rebounds (57 vs. 27). Jayson Tatum put up a double-double in the victory with 39 points and 12 rebounds.
Vegas is known to place the total high when the Celtics are involved, as 56.7 percent of their games have gone under the projected point total. Boston holds records of 22-8 straight up (SU) and 18-11-1 against the spread (ATS).
In opposition of Boston, games involving the Hornets have gone over the projected point total 51.4 percent of the time. Additionally, Charlotte owns records of 13-22 SU and 17-17-1 ATS.
The inefficient offense of Charlotte (23rd in the league with an offensive efficiency of 104.6) will clash against the stingy defense of Boston (fourth in the NBA with a defensive efficiency of 103.2). The Celtics should have the advantage on that end of the court.
Celtics vs. Hornets Pick
NBA Tip: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Celtics are third in the league with 11.8 fast break points allowed per game while the Hornets are fifth with 11.9 fast break points allowed per game.
- Boston ranks fifth in assists allowed per game (22.8) while Charlotte ranks last (26.9).
- The Celtics rank third in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.7) while the Hornets rank 18th (17.7).
- Boston ranks 13th in three pointers attempted per game (34.4) while Charlotte ranks 23rd in three pointers allowed per game (34.6).
- Boston averages 45.5 rebounds per game, which ranks 15th in the NBA. Charlotte ranks 20th in rebounds allowed per game (46.2).
- The Celtics rank first in steals allowed per game (6.6) while the Hornets rank 25th (8.3).
- The Celtics average 6.0 blocks per game, which ranks sixth in the NBA. The Hornets rank 13th in blocks allowed per game (4.8).
- Boston ranks 16th in second chance points per game (13.1) while Charlotte ranks 17th in second chance points allowed per game (13.3).
- Boston ranks third in points allowed in the paint per game (42.7) while Charlotte ranks 27th (51.0).
- When allowing under 100 points, Charlotte is 3-0 and Boston is 8-1.
- The Hornets are 11-13 when they reach 100 points, while the Celtics are 21-4.
- Charlotte is 8-8-1 ATS at home, while Boston is 9-5-1 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone under in 10 of the Hornets’ 17 home games, while 9 of the Celtics’ 15 road games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Boston and Charlotte have both had 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Celtics are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Hornets are 1-3-1.
- During their last five games, the Celtics have scored an average of 115.4 points per game (3.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 103.6 points per game (0.4 below their season average).
- The Hornets’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 10.0, up from 6.7 for the season.
