The Charlotte Hornets (13-19), 13-point underdogs, will travel to TD Garden to square off against the Boston Celtics (19-7). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 209.5 points and action starts at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 22, 2019.
Charlotte Hornets at Boston Celtics ATS Odds
The Celtics hope to keep it rolling after easily covering the 9-point spread against the Detroit Pistons in their last contest, 114-93. The Hornets, on the other hand, were defeated by the Utah Jazz, 114-107, and were unable to cover as 2.5-point underdogs. The Boston game went 3.5 points under the projected point total of 210.5, while the Charlotte game went 9 points over the projected point total of 212.
Boston played a perfect game. They had a fantastic offensive rebounding percentage of 34.2 (above their season average of 23.0) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.576 (above their season average of 0.520). For those same stats, Detroit had marks of 22.4 and 0.465, respectively. Charlotte, on the other hand, forced Utah into a turnover percentage of 20.0 (above their season average of 14.2). Jaylen Brown had a good game for Boston, putting up 26 points, five rebounds and five assists. Meanwhile, Terry Rozier played a pivotal role for Charlotte with 29 points.
In their first matchup this year, Gordon Hayward led the Celtics to a 108-87 victory. He registered a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Boston covered as a 7-point favorite and the two teams combined to put up 195 points, which was well under the projected point total of 215. The Celtics’ 10.4 turnover percentage was their largest advantage over the Hornets, who had a mark of 17.4.
Hornets games have gone under the O/U total 51.6 percent of the time. Charlotte heads into the contest with records of 13-19 straight up (SU) and 17-14 against the spread (ATS).
Of the Celtics’ 26 games, 16 have finished under the total. Additionally, Boston owns records of 19-7 SU and 16-9-1 ATS.
Half-court execution will be critical when two of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams square off. Boston ranks 22nd in possessions per game (101.3) and Charlotte is 30th (99.4). Additionally, the Hornets rank 23rd in offensive efficiency (105.2), while the Celtics rank fifth in defensive efficiency (102.5).
Charlotte Hornets vs. Boston Celtics ATS Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Celtics average 45.7 rebounds per game, which ranks 11th in the NBA. The Hornets rank 15th in rebounds allowed per game (45.7).
- Boston ranks first in steals allowed per game (6.4) while Charlotte ranks 26th (8.6).
- The Celtics rank second in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.3) while the Hornets rank 19th (17.9).
- Charlotte ranks 10th in three pointers attempted per game (35.1) while Boston ranks 25th in three pointers allowed per game (34.9).
- Boston averages 6.0 blocks per game, which ranks sixth in the NBA. Charlotte ranks 12th in blocks allowed per game (4.7).
- The Celtics rank second in points allowed in the paint per game (41.2) while the Hornets rank 25th (50.4).
- The Hornets rank 13th in second chance points per game (13.5) while the Celtics rank 23rd in second chance points allowed per game (13.9).
- Charlotte is fourth in the league with 11.8 fast break points allowed per game while Boston is fifth with 12.0 fast break points allowed per game.
- Boston ranks seventh in assists allowed per game (22.7) while Charlotte ranks 28th (27.2).
- Boston is 7-1 when they allow below 100 points, while Charlotte is 3-0.
- The Celtics are 18-4 when they reach 100 points, while the Hornets are 11-11.
- Boston is 8-4 ATS at home, while Charlotte is 9-7 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone under in 7 of the Celtics’ 12 home games, while 9 of the Hornets’ 16 road games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Charlotte and Boston have both had 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Hornets are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Celtics are 3-2.
- The Hornets’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 2.6, down from 6.0 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Celtics have scored an average of 111.8 points per game (0.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 104.2 points per game (0.6 above their season average).
