The Top Against the Tanker, Hornets Face Boston
Hornets vs Celtics Spreads, Matchup and More
Hornets vs Celtics Spreads currently are Boston -8.5. Total 218.
This one might be ugly. The best team in the league Boston Celtics are facing off against one of the worst teams in their conference, the Charlotte Hornets. Over their last ten NBA games against each other, the Celtics are 8-2 while the Hornets are 2-8.
Don’t look too hard at the Hornet’s injury report because you may go blind. They will be missing a handful of their core players, and it’s possible that Boston’s will look similar.
Boston has locked up the overall number one seed (and home-court advantage throughout the entire playoffs) and could look to rest their starters before the playoffs.
With the Hornets vs Celtics spreads in hand we are going to look at NBA starting lineups, and NBA records and see what we can do to make the best NBA bets today.
Hornets vs Celtics 
Day/Time:
Records: Hornets (20-60)/Celtics (62-18)
Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA
Streaming: NBA League Pass, NBC Sports Boston, Bally Sports SE-CHA
Hornets Hollow Victories
The Charlotte Hornets’ season has been a bit of a struggle. Despite hopes of a leap forward after a disappointing previous year, NBA injuries and lack of continuity due to trades and chemistry issues.
Key players like LaMelo Ball have missed significant time, and the Hornets currently find themselves near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings once again. They’ve been playing their young guys and tanking for better lottery picks for over a month, but they still may be able to show some spunk.
The Charlotte Hornets edged out a close win against the Atlanta Hawks in their most recent game. Despite allowing Atlanta to shoot 52.4% from the field, the Hornet’s defense managed to force 16 turnovers and racked up 11 steals.
Offensively, Charlotte spread the ball around well, finishing with 25 assists. Brandon Miller led the Hornets in scoring with 27 points, shooting over 50% from the field.
Rookie Brandon Miller has been a reason for hope in Charlotte. Miller has averaged 17.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists on the NBA season, but over the last ten games is averaging 20.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.
His increased offensive load is something to look at on Friday. Miller has hit his over in seven of his last ten games, and with the Celtics potentially resting guys Friday, could be in for another nice scoring night.
Boston Loosening the Reins?
The Boston Celtics are the best team in the league and the favorite to win the NBA championship. Winning over 60 games is something not many teams have done, and almost all go on to make deep playoff runs.
The Celtics offensively have been amazing. They average over 120 points per game and shoot efficiently from the field (48.6%).
Defensively, they are a force to be reckoned with, ranking among the league’s best in points allowed, opponent field goal percentage, and rebounds conceded. They are first in offensive rating and second in defensive rating, that is rarified air.
There is a chance Boston sits some of their key players on Friday, and nobody would blame them. Now that they are poised to make a deep playoff run they should look at giving some of their stars some rest.
Check out Sam Hauser’s points prop in this game. Hauser has averaged 11.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists in his last ten games, and has gone over on his points prop in seven of his last ten games. Hauser will likely continue his higher usage as the Celtics stars look ahead to the NBA playoffs.
Check Who Will Play
Hornets vs Celtics Spreads opened at Boston -8.5, total 218. It will be hard to predict this one as the game really doesn’t have much meaning to either team, but a look at the Hornet’s youth getting feisty and potentially covering the spread.
The Boston Celtics took control against the Charlotte Hornets in their last meeting on April 1st, winning 118-104. The Celtics offense dominated, averaging their usual high-scoring output with almost 120 points.
Defensively, they stifled the Hornets, holding them to just 104 points. Jayson Tatum had a strong performance for Boston, leading the NBA team with 22 points and 6 assists.
In their last ten matchups, Boston is 6-4 against the spread and 6-4 on the over/under. The Celtics are 7-2 ATS as the favorite and Charlotte is 3-6 as an underdog in both team’s last ten games.
For NBA scores today, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
