Celtics vs. Hornets Prediction
While the Celtics are still fighting for homecourt advantage in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Hornets are just fighting to stay in the playoff race. The teams will meet at 6:00 p.m. ET on Saturday night in what could be a defensive struggle.
Game Snapshot
515 Boston Celtics at 516 Charlotte Hornets
6:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, March 23, 2019
Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
Our NBA Live Odds page pulls spreads and totals from multiple different online sportsbooks so you can compare betting odds to ensure you’re getting the best line.
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers from online sportsbook BetNow.eu, the Celtics are 2.5-point favorites to beat the Hornets. The total, meanwhile, sits at 222 points and as of this writing, 68% of the public betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Celtics to cover the point spread.
Boston Celtics Fantasy Spin
Gordon Hayward (concussion) will not play on Saturday against the Hornets. The Celtics said earlier today that Hayward had an outside shot to play, but they opted to rule him out a few hours after practice. Hayward did not practice on Friday and he should be considered questionable for Sunday at home vs. San Antonio. Semi Ojeleye should see extra minutes while the other second-unit players could get more shots.
Charlotte Hornets Fantasy Spin
Kemba Walker made 10-of-22 from the field for 31 points with five rebounds, six assists and one 3-pointer in 35 minutes during a 113-106 win over the Wolves on Thursday. There were some major changes to the rotation today, but it certainly didn’t affect Kemba. Last season, Walker’s minutes didn’t trend down until the last week of the season, and he’s always said he just wants to play basketball. The Hornets may give him what he wants to just keep him out there in hopes he’ll re-sign this summer. Keep him rolling, but is fantasy owners may want to make sure he’s a go for a back-to-back set on Saturday and Sunday.
NBA Betting Trends
Boston
The Celtics failed to cover the spread in four of their previous five games but are 3-1-1 against the number in their last five road games.
Charlotte
The Hornets are just 2-7 against the spread in their last nine games overall and are 1-6-1 at the betting window in their last eight home games.
Prediction
The over is a perfect 4-0 in the previous four meetings between these two teams but the under has been extremely profitable when Boston has been on the road recently. The under is 10-4 in the Celtics’ last 14 road games and is 5-2 in their last seven games when playing on two days of rest. On the other side, the under has cashed in four of the Hornets’ last five games when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous contest.
Saturday NBA Prediction: Celtics/Hornets under 222