basketball | Monday, January 16, 2023 12:05 PM (Revised at: Monday, January 16, 2023 12:24 PM)

Charlotte Hornets vs Boston Celtics Best Bet: Back Celtics to Cover Big Spread

Sam Cox

Charlotte Hornets vs Boston Celtics Best Bet: Monday, January 16th

The Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics are 8.5-point favourites over the Charlotte Hornets for their matchup on Martin Luther King Day. Boston is expected to win at a canter on the road against a Charlotte team owning the 27th-ranked net rating in the Association and an ugly 11-33 record.

MLK Day means a lot of early tip offs, which is a nice way to start the week for those of us in Europe. This is the first game of the day, a real mismatch between arguably the title favourites and a team once again heading for the depths of the lottery. Charlotte has gone 1-7 since 29th December, while the Celtics are searching for their seventh win on the bounce.

Kelly Oubre is a long-term absentee for the Hornets, and former Celtic Gordon Hayward is unlikely to play due to a hamstring issue. Jaylen Brown and Danilo Gallinari are Boston’s only players listed as out. Derrick White is probable.

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Charlotte Hornets vs Boston Celtics Preview
Charlotte Hornets vs Boston Celtics Best Bet

Charlotte Hornets vs Boston Celtics Preview

Mon, Jan 16. 18:00 (UK time)

Brown’s injury is obviously a factor worth consideration here, yet it is also worth noting that the Celtics have covered this number in both of their games against Charlotte in 2022-23. While Brown has once again been performing at an All-Star level, the Celtics have the depth (especially if White is available) to compensate for his absence with Malcolm Brogdon enjoying some productive nights of late.

The Hornets’ problems are too significant for Brown’s absence to make much of a difference. Charlotte barely gets to the line, fouls a lot, doesn’t rebound well, doesn’t hit threes, and gives up too many outside shots. There isn’t much to believe in with this team.

They should be used to Hayward being unavailable by this stage, but they are still a better team with him on the floor. For all the good play from LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier, Charlotte is at a vast talent deficit in this game.

Last season, they were at least a great offence and poor defence. Such a one-way profile puts a hard ceiling on a team, but it is preferable to what we have seen this season.

Charlotte Hornets vs Boston Celtics Preview

Only four teams have covered the spread less frequently than the Hornets this season. Only four have covered more often than the Celtics. Charlotte is just 4-10 ATS as a home underdog, while Boston is 12-10 ATS on the road overall.

Despite the Rockets losing 10 games in a row, an argument can be made that the Hornets are the worst team in the NBA right now. Yes, LaMelo is still fun to watch, and makes his teammates better, but they are absolutely miles off the Celtics.

Boston won this matchup by 16 points only a couple of days ago after a 35-point blowout in November. Expect another comfortable win for the defending Eastern Conference champions.