Celtics vs Hornets Prediction 11/6/2026 NBA Picks Today

Celtics vs Hornets Prediction

The Celtics are keeping an eye on Payton Pritchard, who is questionable, while the Hornets are still missing Grant Williams and Kon Knueppel, with Dennis Schroder and Moussa Diabate both questionable.

The Celtics were far from convincing in their narrow win over the slumping Bucks on Wednesday, but they were able to turn it on when it mattered to get the job done. Jayson Tatum was rested for that game, but he has been cleared to make his return, which spells trouble for the Hornets, who just lost to the ice-cold Nets in their last outing. I expected the line to be a little higher, so I will happily take the Celtics to maintain their momentum with a win and cover here.

Boston Celtics Betting Preview 

The Boston Celtics have been in great form as they’ve won six of their first eight games, and they will be eager to keep it going after outlasting the Bucks in a 109-102 home win on Wednesday. Paul George led the team with 25 points, five assists and four steals; Derrick White added 24 points with seven assists, while Saum Hasner and Luka Garza each scored 11 points.

As a team, the Celtics shot just 41 percent from the field and 16 of 39 from the 3-point line as they dominated the first half by 62-41 to open up a 22-point lead. However, the Celtics allowed the Bucks all the way back into the contest to tie the scores with just 3:06 left in the fourth quarter where the Celtics used a decisive 7-0 run to reclaim the lead for good.

Charlotte Hornets Betting Preview 

Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets have been in a major slump as they are now on a five-game losing streak after getting beaten by the struggling Nets in a 114-104 road defeat on Wednesday. Naz Reid led the team with 28 points and nine rebounds on 11 of 18 shooting, Grayson Allen added 22 points on six of 11 shooting off the bench, while Sion James chipped in with 10 points and three steals.

As a team, the Hornets shot just 40 percent from the field and 12 of 40 from the 3-point line as they got off to a quick start to take the lead going into halftime thanks to the hot hand of Reid. However, it was a different story in the second half as the Hornets couldn’t find any offense outside of Allen and Reid. Coby White had a quiet game of just four points on two-of-nine shooting, while Brandon Miller shot just two of 15 from the field and one of 10 from the 3-point line for his 10 points.

Why the Charlotte Hornets will win

• The Hornets have won four of their last seven games as underdogs following a loss.
• The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games.
• The underdogs have covered the spread in four of the Celtics’ last five games at Spectrum Center.

Why the Boston Celtics will win

• The Celtics have won each of their last 16 Friday night games.
• The Hornets have lost each of their last seven home games after losing as favorites.
• The Celtics have covered the spread in eight of their last nine games as road favorites against Southeast Division opponents.
• The Hornets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games against Eastern Conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Nine of the Celtics’ last 10 night games against Southeast Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Sixteen of the Hornets’ last 18 games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Hornets rank 1st in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (8.9).
• The Hornets rank 30th in the league for field goal percentage this season (40.4%).
• The Celtics rank 1st in the league for Q1 opponent points per game this season (24.6).
• The Celtics are the only team that has not allowed any opposing player to score 30+ points in a game this season.

Peter Tran's Pick: Boston -8.5