NBA Preseason: Boston Celtics vs. Charlotte Hornets prediction, odds, TV channel
The Boston Celtics are back. Through a turbulent offseason — with a coaching change, several injuries to key projected rotation members, and a summer filled with trade rumors — the Cs return to defend their Eastern Conference crown.
Not winning the title this past June with a 2-1 Finals lead over the Golden State Warriors could turn out to be nightmare fuel for the C’s fanbase if an improved east proves too formidable to reach the mountaintop once more. Boston got past Milwaukee without Khris Middleton, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are set to take an even more dramatic step forward with Donovan Mitchell joining a young core that was already going to be better with another year under their belt.
Long-term questions surround the Celtics’ ability to adjust to a new head coach in Joe Mazzulla, but in the short term, Boston must figure out how to navigate injuries to Robert Williams and Luke Kornet at the center position. Blake Griffin was signed to get them through the early portion of the schedule.
Can they open the preseason with enough hope to give Cs fans confidence about the direction of the team? And can the likes of Justin Jackson, Jake Layman, and Brodric Thomas take advantage of the exhibition schedule and earn a guaranteed deal?
Hardwood Houdini has your odds and a prediction for the NBA TV-televised preseason opener between the Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets Sunday afternoon (all odds provided by Bolavip):
Boston Celtics vs. Charlotte Hornets odds, spread, over/under
The Celtics are 7-point favorites against the Hornets. The over/under for the game has been placed at 240 points.
Celtics vs. Hornets prediction
7 points is a sizable spread to start off the Joe Mazzulla era. Given the lineup adjustments Boston must make to accommodate several new players (Malcolm Brogdon, Blake Griffin), that may be too tall an ask.
But both these teams surpassing 240 points less than a week after the start of training camp seems like a dicey proposition. The Houdini is riding the under.