Celtics vs. Hornets Pick
Can the Boston Celtics pick up a road win tonight when they take on the Charlotte Hornets at 6PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Boston is favored on the road, as the Celtics are getting odds of -2 points against the Hornets. The over/under total for the game is listed at 214.5 points. Boston has won and covered the spread in all three meetings with the Hornets this season.
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Boston has lost two straight coming into tonight to fall to 50-29 on the season. They are 1 game behind the Cavs for first in the East, but Cleveland has the tiebreaker. Boston has also failed to cover in six of its last seven games to fall to 38-39-2 against the spread. On the season, Boston averages 107.7 points per game on offense while allowing 105.4 per game. Over its last five, Boston is scoring 106.8 per game, but allowing 110 per contest. Isaiah Thomas is leading the way with 29.1 points and 5.9 assists per game.
The Hornets have also lost two straight and are now 36-43 on the season. They are 3 games out of the playoff race with 3 games to play. They have failed to cover in their last two games as well to drop to 35-41-3 against the spread on the season. Charlotte averages 105.5 points per game on offense this season while giving up 104.7 on defense. Over their last five, the Hornets are putting up 106.4 points on offense while allowing 102.9 on defense. Kemba Walker has been leading the team with 23.2 points and 5.5 assists per game.
The Hornets should be motivated to play hard, given their playoff lives are on the line, but the Celtics should be motivated to get back on track. If Boston is going to really contend for the NBA Finals, they have to find some momentum going into the postseason. They are coming off two poor showings and need to win today’s game, which has a lot of meaning for their opponent. I think Boston rights the ship today.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: BOSTON CELTICS -2