Boston visits Spectrum Center in Charlotte on Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Celtics just won a game in which they shot poorly, while the Hornets are looking for an offensive answer after another road defeat. The lines used here are Boston -4.5 and 212.5 total points.
Find the full Friday card on our NBA picks and predictions page.
Boston Can Win Without Shooting Its Best
Boston is 6-2 overall and 1-2 on the road. The Celtics beat Milwaukee 109-102 Wednesday after losing at Houston. They shot 40.7% against the Bucks but collected 19 offensive rebounds. Those extra chances kept a poor shooting night from turning into a second straight loss.
The Celtics average 114.2 points and allow 108.2. They made 16 threes against Milwaukee, so Charlotte has to respect their spacing even when the first few attempts miss. Boston can also force the Hornets to score against a set defense by sending fewer players to the offensive glass when it has the lead.
Paul George scored 25 against Milwaukee. His ability to create a shot in the half court matters if Payton Pritchard, listed questionable with an eye issue on the early report, cannot play. Boston still needs to take care of the ball; Charlotte’s best scoring opportunities may come before the Celtics get back.
Charlotte Needs to Keep the Game Off the Perimeter
Charlotte is 3-6 overall and 2-3 at home after a 114-104 loss at Brooklyn. That followed a 33-point loss to Detroit. Scoring 104 was an improvement, but it was still not enough against a Brooklyn team that had won only once entering the game.
The Hornets average 98.1 points and allow 109.2. They can stay close by getting offensive rebounds and making Boston defend twice on the same trip. The trouble comes when those chances end in another difficult jumper. If Boston gets the first defensive rebound consistently, Charlotte may have to win a shooting contest it is poorly equipped to handle.
Naz Reid scored 28 against Brooklyn. Charlotte needs that kind of production with Kon Knueppel listed out with a hamstring injury. Dennis Schröder and Moussa Diabaté were questionable on the early report. Their statuses matter for ball handling and rebounding, two areas the Hornets need to hold up in against Boston.
Celtics vs Hornets Picks and Predictions
Spread Pick: Boston Celtics -4.5
I’ll take Boston at -4.5. Charlotte has the home floor and can make the margin uncomfortable if it controls the glass. But Boston showed Wednesday that it can win without a strong shooting percentage, and Charlotte has averaged fewer than 100 points. The Celtics have more ways to recover from a bad quarter. This is my best bet at -4.5; I would pass if only a substantially larger spread is available.
Total Pick: Under 212.5
Charlotte’s offense is the reason for the under. Boston allows 108.2 points per game, and the Hornets have to replace shooting while dealing with uncertainty in their rotation. Boston’s own scoring could threaten the number if it dominates the offensive boards again. I expect Charlotte’s half-court possessions to keep the combined score down. Projection: Boston 110, Charlotte 98.
Final Picks: Boston -4.5 and Under 212.5. Projected winner: Boston.
Completed November 5, 2026. Lines and availability may change before tipoff.