Celtics vs. Hornets NBA expert prediction and odds for Monday, April 1 (Lay the large number with Boston)

After losing twice to the No. 10 seed Atlanta Hawks over a four-day stretch, the Celtics were able to bounce back with a 104-92 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday. Boston is a monster favorite Monday against the lowly Hornets as the Celtics continue to cruise to the No. 1 seed in the upcoming playoffs. 

The Hornets snapped a five-game losing streak in Wednesday’s home win over the Cavaliers, but quickly dropped back-to-back games by double figures at home against Golden State and the Los Angeles Clippers. With all eyes on the draft, can Charlotte hang in as a double-digit underdog against the mighty Celtics? Here’s the betting breakdown of the matchup with a best bet. 

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Celtics vs. Hornets odds, spread and total

Celtics vs. Hornets how to watch

• Date: Monday, April 1 
• Game time: 7 p.m. EST
• Venue: Spectrum Center 
• How to watch (TV): Bally Sports
• Celtics record: 58-16
• Hornets record: 18-56

Celtics vs. Hornets injury report

Boston Celtics

• JD Davidson (ankle): out
• Jaylen Brown (hand): questionable
• Jaden Springer (knee): questionable
• Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring): questionable 

Charlotte Hornets

• Aleksej Pokusevski (illness): questionable 

Celtics vs. Hornets key players to watch

Boston Celtics

Jrue Holiday: The veteran guard continues to be an all-around producer for the Celtics in his first season in Boston. Holiday is averaging 12.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5 assists per game this season. He’s also shooting a career-high 44.7% from beyond the arc this season and has knocked down three triples in three of the last four games. He’s coming off a 13-point, 8-rebound, 7-assist performance in Saturday’s victory over the Pelicans. 

Charlotte Hornets

Miles Bridges: The former first-round pick continues to be a bright spot in a lost season for the Hornets. The Michigan State product caught fire from deep in Sunday’s blowout loss to the Pelicans, knocking down seven 3-pointers and finishing with 33 points and 7 rebounds. Bridges averages 21.3 points and 7.4 boards per game. 

Celtics vs. Hornets prediction and pick

Way back in November, the Charlotte Hornets stunned the Celtics with a 121-118 overtime win at Spectrum Center. However, Charlotte’s lineup looks a lot different over four months later. Charlotte is without Gordan Hayward (traded), LaMelo Ball (out for the year), Mark Williams (out for the year) and PJ Washington (traded), a quartet that combined for 89 points, 31 rebounds and 15 assists in that November matchup. 

Charlotte is still left with Brandon Miller and Bridges in the lineup, but being one-dimensional against the Celtics is not a spot you want to be in. Boston, top-5 in the NBA in scoring defense, matches up against a Charlotte offense that is No. 28 in net rating. 

Boston is No. 3 in defending shots from both 2 - and 3-point range. The Hawks were able to pull out a pair of upsets by lighting it up from the perimeter, going a combined 33-for-80 (41.3%) from downtown. That’s not the strength of a Charlotte offense (No. 24 in 3-point shooting) that has been held under 100 points in six of its last eight games. Boston got a pair of hiccups out of its way in Atlanta and will finish the road trip strong Monday against the Hornets, which are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games as a double-digit underdog. 

Game odds update periodically and are subject to change.