Boston Celtics vs. Charlotte Hornets - 12/31/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Boston Celtics vs Charlotte Hornets

Date: Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Location: Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC

TV: Fox Sports Southeast - Charlotte

Odds/Point Spread: Boston -8.5

Total/Over-Under: 209.5

Terry Rozier and the Charlotte Hornets (13-22, 3rd in the Southeast Division) play the Boston Celtics (22-8, 1st in the Atlantic Division) at Spectrum Center on Tuesday, December 31, 2019. Charlotte opens this contest as 8.5 point underdogs. The O/U opens at 209.5.

The Celtics are covering 64.3% of the time, having gone 18-10-2 ATS. Charlotte is covering 48.6% of the time, going 17-18-0 against the spread.

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

12/18/2019 Vincent Poirier C Finger Expected to be out until at least Jan 20
12/16/2019 Robert Williams C Hip Expected to be out until at least Jan 6

Key Charlotte Hornets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Jaylen Brown comes into this contest averaging 20.6 points per game while playing 33.6 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 7.0 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 52% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 75%. Jayson Tatum averages 21.2 points per game in 34.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.9 assists per contest and 7.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 42% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%.

Player Spotlight

Terry Rozier averages 17.3 points per game while playing 33.4 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.5 rebounds per game and has 4.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 84%. Devonte' Graham averages 19.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.9 rebounds per contest and 7.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 38% and his free throw percentage is 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 111.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 7.6 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 15th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 14th in the league. They average 45.5 rebounds per game and 23.2 assists per game, which ranks them 15th and 19th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 25th with 13.7 per game. The Celtics allow 104.0 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 2nd in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 5th and 8th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.5 rebounds a game which ranks 9th and they give up 22.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 5th place in the league. They force 15.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 23rd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Charlotte is 28th in the league with 104.1 points per game this year. They are 25th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -6.7. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 19th in the NBA. They are 25th in the league in rebounding with 42.8 boards per game, and 16th in assists per contest with 23.7. The Hornets are 17th in turnovers per game with 14.9. The Hornets surrender 110.8 points per contest, which ranks them 16th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 48% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 26th and 17th in those defensive statistics. They rank 30th with 26.9 assists allowed per contest and 21st with 46.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Hornets are 19th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.2 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 4th in the league in defensive rating with 104.7, and their offensive rating of 112.3 is ranked 3rd. They are 22nd in the NBA in pace with 99 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 13th. As a unit they are 13th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 14th in the NBA. Boston is 24th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 22nd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Charlotte is 14th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 55%, which is 3rd in the league. The Hornets are 24th in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.2, and their defensive rating of 113 is ranked 27th. In terms of pace they are 28th in the league with 97.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 24th. As a team they are 25th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shots, ranking 8th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Celtics/Hornets NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Boston -8.5

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