Celtics vs Hornets Odds, Lines & Picks (Jan. 16)

• The Celtics vs Hornets odds favor Boston by 8-points on Monday evening
• Boston enters play riding a six-game winning streak
• Check out the latest Celtics vs Hornets odds, plus analysis, injury news and best bets

Martin Luther King Jr. Day brings matinee hoops for us to sweat, starting with the Celtics vs Hornets matchup. These two will meet for the second time in three days in Charlotte, after Boston racked up a 122-106 victory on Saturday night.

Oddsmakers are expecting more of the same in the rematch, as they pegged the Celtics (32-15, 15-7 away) as the heavy road chalk in the NBA odds.

Celtics vs Hornets Odds

Odds as of January 15 at Barstool. Claim the Barstool Sportsbook promo code to bet on the Celtics vs Hornets game.

Boston are currently 8-point favorites, in a game with a total of 231.5. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 pm ET at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC, with NBA TV providing the broadcast coverage.

Celtics vs Hornets Betting Analysis

The Celtics erased a 16 point second half deficit on Saturday, before pulling away late to win by 16. Jayson Tatum led the way with 33 points, 17 of which came in the third quarter. The top-five NBA MVP odds contender added nine rebounds and six assists, and buried four triples.

Boston finished with 19 threes overall, getting four from Al Horford and Malcolm Brogdon as well, as part of their 16 and 30 point performances respectively.

The victory was Boston’s second over Charlotte this season, after stomping the Hornets 140-105 back in November. The Celtics have won six straight overall to sit atop the NBA, while ranking second in offensive rating and seventh in defensive rating.

NBA Offensive Rating Ranks

Boston enters play averaging an Eastern Conference best 118.5 points, while yielding 112 per outing. They’ve held four of their past six opponents below 107 points, and after a slow start on Saturday completely neutralized the Charlotte attack.

The Hornets (11-33, 5-15 home) shot a blistering 58% in the opening half of Saturday’s loss, but managed only 40 total points in the second half. LaMelo Ball led the way with 31 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to help prevent Charlotte drop their seventh game in eight outings.

The Hornets enter play with the East’s worst record, and the second lowest winning percentage in the league. They’ve lost nine of their past 10 home games, and no team in the NBA has fewer victories inside their own building.

See you all on Monday ✌🏽 pic.twitter.com/rlSWNv71t2

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 15, 2023

A major reason for Charlotte’s struggles is their suspect defensive play. The team ranks 28th in scoring defense, and is yielding a 48% field goal percentage to enemy shooters. One of their strengths is supposed to be on the glass, but that wasn’t the case last time out against Boston.

The Celtics grabbed 14 offensive rebounds, which led to 15 second chance points. Robert Williams III did most of the damage on the offensive glass, hauling in six offensive rebounds.

On the injury front, Boston’s Jaylen Brown sat out on Saturday with a groin injury and will miss Monday’s contest as well. Grant Williams left the previous game with a neck injury, but is expected to return on Monday.

Injury wise for the Hornets, Gordon Hayward will sit again with a hamstring injury. The team’s fifth leading scorer hasn’t played since January 2nd.

Celtics vs Hornets Predictions

The talent discrepancy between these two teams is large, with Boston having a favorable matchup at both ends of the floor. As for the trends, those favor the Celtics as well.

The Boston Celtics are the first team to 30 wins👀 pic.twitter.com/JnS2HpyEah

— HOOPS EMPIRE (@HoopsEmpire_) January 12, 2023

Boston is 2-0 against the spread versus Charlotte this season, and have covered three straight games overall. They’re 25-19 ATS so far, which is the fourth best cover rate in the NBA.

The Hornets on the other hand, are 18-24-2 against the spread, failing to cover in eight of their last 11 outings. They’ve been especially bad against the number at home, covering in only six of 20 home games.

Pick: Boston Celtics -8 (-110)