A first-round playoff series between the Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets would be a dream scenario for NBA neutrals, and we get another sneak preview as the teams square off tonight.
Charlotte has picked up four straight victories and won at TD Garden last month, but my Hornets vs. Celtics predictions see Boston getting the upper hand, as Jayson Tatum continues to impress.
Check out my NBA picks for this clash between in-form Eastern Conference squads on Tuesday, April 7.
Hornets vs Celtics prediction
Hornets vs Celtics best bet: Celtics -4.5 (-110)
A healthy Boston Celtics rotation is a scary prospect for the rest of the league, and they’ve looked in sync while winning eight of their last 10 games.
Boston is also 8-2 straight up in its past 10 matchups against the Charlotte Hornets, and I’m laying the points here with Joe Mazzulla’s men, who are 6-1 against the spread in their last seven. The Celtics turned it on late to brush off the Raptors on Sunday and make it four straight wins by a margin of 14+ points.
Though the Hornets embarrassed Boston in early March, the Celtics got revenge a few weeks later with a 114-99 victory, despite missing Jaylen Brown. Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard combined for 60 points that day to outplay Charlotte’s talented guards.
The hosts are at full strength now, after Nikola Vucevic’s return over the weekend, and their defense is the stingiest in the NBA, allowing just 107 points per game. Look for that attention to detail to stifle a Hornets team that leads the league in made 3-pointers.
After a recent home-heavy slate, Charlotte will be entering a rocking TD Garden, where the Celtics are 27-11 SU this year. So, even this late in the regular season, Boston should view this as a statement game, and this spread is small enough for me to back Tatum & Co.
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Hornets vs Celtics same-game parlay
The Celtics are humming along since Tatum’s comeback, and he’s been especially consistent on the glass, with 9+ rebounds in eight of his last nine, headlined by 18 boards against the Heat last week. I’m wagering on another big haul tonight.
Meanwhile, Pritchard’s heat-check scoring is a spark for the Boston bench. He’s nailed this Over in five of his last six games, and finished with 28 points in the last meeting between these teams.
Hornets vs Celtics SGP
- Celtics moneyline
- Jayson Tatum Over 8.5 rebounds
- Payton Pritchard Over 14.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Put up your Dukes
This SGP pairs two Duke alums, with Tatum going past this points prop in five straight and Kon Knueppel putting the final touches on his Rookie of the Year case.
Tatum has been a steady double-digit rebounder in the past few weeks, while Knueppel dropped 20 points on the Celtics last month and has O/U lines that feel low for a player averaging 18.7 PPG and 3.4 APG this season.
Hornets vs Celtics SGP
- Jayson Tatum Over 22.5 points
- Jayson Tatum Over 8.5 rebounds
- Kon Knueppel Over 16.5 points
- Kon Knueppel Over 2.5 assists
Hornets vs Celtics odds
- Spread: Hornets +4.5 (-110) | Celtics -4.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Hornets +175 | Celtics -210
- Over/Under: Over 221 (-110) | Under 221 (-110)
Hornets vs Celtics betting trend to know
The Under is 48-31 for the Hornets this season, but the Over has hit in their past three contests. Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Celtics.
How to watch Hornets vs Celtics
| Location | TD Garden, Boston, MA |
| Date | Tuesday, April 7, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBC/Peacock |
Hornets vs Celtics latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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