The Charlotte Hornets (13-19) visit the Boston Celtics (19-7) on Sunday at TD Garden for a 6 p.m. ET tip-off. We analyze the Hornets-Celtics odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.
Hornets at Celtics: Key injuries
Hornets
- SF PJ Washington (finger) out
Celtics
- SF Gordon Hayward (foot) out
- C Vincent Poirier (finger) out
- SG Marcus Smart (eye) out
- C Robert Williams (hip) out
Hornets at Celtics: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Sunday at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Celtics 119, Hornets 101
Moneyline (ML)
Even as the more shorthanded team, the Celtics (-1112), second in the Eastern Conference, will win handily over the ninth-seeded Hornets (+650). The Celtics are 11-1 on home court for the season and have won back-to-back games coming into Sunday. They dropped the Detroit Pistons 114-93 on home court last time out. The Hornets are 6-10 on the road and have lost two straight games, the most recent a 114-107 defeat at home at the hands of the Utah Jazz on Saturday.
There’s no play to be made here with a $10 bet on the Celtics to win outright returning a profit of just $0.90. It’s far too much chalk to swallow, and we’re looking to make dollars not cents. Make this a more competitive and more worthwhile wager by laying the points on the spread.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The CELTICS (-13.5, -106) win this one comfortably, by at least 14 points. They have the rest and home advantages on their side, and they’re the all-around better team, even if Hayward needs to sit. Boston is 16-8 against the spread overall and 8-3 at home. Charlotte is 17-15 ATS overall and 9-7 on the road.
The Hornets have lost by at least 14 points eight times this season, including a 22-point loss to the Indiana Pacers a week ago today. The Celtics have won by 14 or more points six times, including Friday’s game against the Pistons.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Celtics to win by at least 14 returns a profit of $9.43.
Over/Under (O/U)
The juice is on the OVER 209.5 (-115) but that is just fine. It’s an easy pick on a slightly low projection. The second-half situation for Charlotte will help open scoring for Boston, while the Celtics’ injuries — particular to Smart and Hayward — make for easier paths to the hoop for the Hornets.
Esten’s NBA betting record: 110-77
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