The Charlotte Hornets (7-8) go head-to-head against the Boston Celtics (9-7) at the Spectrum Center. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, November 19, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 218.5 points with Boston set as a 1.5-point favorite.
Boston Celtics vs. Charlotte Hornets Free Prediction
The Celtics were unable to cover as 4-point favorites in their 98-86 loss to the Utah Jazz in their last outing. The combined points for the game (184) finished well under the O/U total of 207. One of Utah’s biggest strengths was getting to the charity stripe. They had 27 free throw attempts, while Boston had 20. Kyrie Irving was Boston’s leading scorer with 20 points on 8-for-16 shooting.
In the Hornets’ last game, they let one slip away to the Philadelphia 76ers, 122-119, despite being 3-point favorites. The combined points for the game (241) came in well over the projected point total of 225. Philadelphia made good use of their 38 trips to the free throw line, making 33 of them (86.8 percent). Charlotte, meanwhile, was 25-27 (92.6 percent). With 60 points on 21-for-34 shooting, Kemba Walker was the top scorer from either team.
After the Celtics won all three games against the Hornets last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the most recent matchup, Boston won 134-106. Boston’s 0.690 effective field goal percentage was its biggest advantage over Charlotte, who had a rate of 0.511.
Boston holds records of 9-7 straight up (SU) and 6-10 against the spread (ATS). Celtics matchups have a tendency to go under the O/U total (56.3 percent).
Meanwhile, Charlotte owns records of 7-8 SU and 9-6 ATS. Coinciding with Boston, just over half of Hornets games have finished under the O/U total.
Jeremy Lamb has averaged 16 points,5.2 rebounds,1.8 steals over the last five games for Charlotte.
There’s a decent chance that Boston struggles to create turnovers. Charlotte ranks first in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 11.7 percent), while Boston forces the 15th-most turnovers (14.4 percent).
Boston Celtics at Charlotte Hornets Free Pick
NBA Prediction: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Boston is 2-7 ATS with 5 unders and 4 overs.
At home, Charlotte is 4-3 ATS with 4 overs and 3 unders.
When allowing under 100 points, Charlotte is 2-0 and Boston is 4-2.
When reaching the century mark, the Hornets are 7-7 and the Celtics are 9-4.
Boston ranks first in blocks allowed per game (3.4) while Charlotte ranks 25th (6.9).
The Hornets rank sixth in second chance points per game (15.2) while the Celtics rank 26th (11.2).
Boston ranks third in three pointers attempted per game (36.4) while Charlotte ranks 22nd in three pointers allowed per game (32.9).
The Hornets rank 13th in points in the paint per game (47.5) while the Celtics rank 28th (38.9).
Boston averages 46.8 rebounds per game, which ranks 10th in the league. Charlotte ranks 22nd in rebounds allowed per game (46.7).
The Hornets rank 5 in points off turnovers per game (20.6) while the Celtics rank 16 (16.875).
Boston ranks 4 in assists allowed per game (21.75) while Charlotte ranks 12 (23.333333333333332).
The Celtics rank 5 in steals allowed per game (7) while the Hornets rank 6 (7.066666666666666).
Bettings Trends:
Over its last five contests, Boston is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Charlotte is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Celtics’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.0, down from 2.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Hornets have scored an average of 113.2 points per game (1.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 114.6 points per game (4.3 above their season average).
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