Many are wondering whether the Boston Celtics can successfully navigate an extended period of time without All-Star Jaylen Brown. That question will persist so long as he's recovering from a right adductor injury that has already cost him a few games.
Immediately, though, the bigger-picture betting lines have reacted accordingly. Boston has seen their odds to win the 2023 NBA Finals dip over the past week or so. The team's short-term outlook is a different story. Linemakers do not seem worried about how Brown's absence will impact the Celtics when they face off against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday.
Don't take our word for it. You can see for yourself. Here are the latest NBA online betting odds for the Celtics vs. Hornets matchup, courtesy of the folks over at BetUS:
Always remember to double-check these online NBA betting odds before submitting your Celtics vs. Hornets picks. Tipoff is slated for Monday, January 16, at 1:10 p.m. EST. Our Hornets vs. Celtics betting odds are accurate entering the morning of Monday, January 16, and you can expect bookkeepers to continue making adjustments right up until the game begins.
Granted, if you have signed up with the right sportsbook, you don't have to worry about missing any last-minute shifts to Heat vs. Hawks betting lines. That's why we've compiled a catalog of reviews for the best online sportsbooks. These in-depth evaluations are designed to give you the inside scoop on the best NBA online betting sites for the 2022-23 season.
So who's going to win this Celtics vs. Hornets showdown? Who will cover the point spread? And which way will the over/under line tilt? We've got our best bets for Hornets vs. Celtics below!
The Boston Celtics Are Rightfully Massive Favorites Against the Charlotte Hornets
Would-be favorites sometimes see their betting lines derailed when they're missing one of their most important players. Jaylen Brown may be contending for an All-NBA spot this season, but the Celtics don't have to worry about what happens on Monday afternoon without him.
The Hornets are that bad.
Indeed, getting LaMelo Ball back from early-season injuries is big. He provides shape and structure to their offense, particularly in transition, and his three-point volume and accuracy is mission critical to a team reeling from injuries and poor roster construction. Even so, Charlotte profiles as perhaps the very worst team in the NBA. They are 29th in offense and 27th in defense, and entering Monday, only the Houston Rockets have a worse record on the regular season.
Charlotte won't get any reprieve from a Jaylen-less Boston squad, either. The Celtics have regained much of their offensive mojo after a brief slump. and though they're coping with injuries to Derrick White and Al Horford in addition to Brown, they have the depth to overcome it. The supporting cast is back to hitting their three-pointers, and Jayson Tatum is now an MVP candidate, prone to feasting on undisciplined defense and more adept than ever at carving up teams with his dribble penetration.
As you can tell, oddsmakers effectively don't think the Hornets stand a chance. We're inclined to agree.
Betting on the Charlotte vs. Boston Point Spread isn't as Easy as It May Seem
Here are the latest NBA point spread betting odds for Celtics vs. Hornets on Monday:
- Boston Celtics, -8.5 (-110)
- Charlotte Hornets, +8.5 (-110)
Betting on the Celtics to cover against the Hornets will be the most popular play. It may also be the correct one.
Still, Celtics point spread bettors should beware of the back-to-back trap. Charlotte and Boston just played this past Saturday, and neither has logged another game since. When this happens, the second game between the two squads tends to be tighter. That's the benefit of having more time to prepare for the same team you just played. It's like a miniature playoff series.
Then again, the Celtics took the first meeting by 16 points. And they were without Jaylen Brown in that game, too.
Feel free to roll the dice on the Hornets if you're swayed by them playing at home. We're not quite there. Charlotte has lost each of its past three games by 10 or more points and doesn't seem to be getting any better.
OSB Prediction: Boston Celtics, -8.5 (-110)
Are the Over/Under Betting Lines for Celtics vs. Hornets Coming in Too High
Below you can see the latest NBA over/under betting odds for the Hornets vs. Celtics game:
- Over 235.5 (-110)
- Under 235.5 (-110)
Boston's defense has perked up following the return of interior linchpin Robert Williams III. Combine this with Charlotte's fundamental inefficiency on offense—especially in half-court sets—and this game has plenty of "under" appeal.
And yet, we're going with the over.
The Celtics offense is second in the league in points scored per possession and has looked perfectly fine without Brown in the lineup. Going up against the Hornets' defense is also a gift. They don't rebound well, are a turnstile near the basket and foul in bunches. Boston hung up 122 points in the first meeting, and it wouldn't surprise us if they clear 125 this time around.
What's more, only two Hornets games since the start of January have failed to top 235 points by the final buzzer. One of them was Saturday's matchup against the Celtics. We can't envision that happening again.
OSB Prediction: Over 235.5 (-110)
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