Boston Celtics (58-16, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. Charlotte Hornets (18-56, 13th in the Eastern Conference)
Charlotte, North Carolina; Monday, 7 p.m. EDT
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE: Celtics -17; over/under is 216.5
BOTTOM LINE: Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics take on Miles Bridges and the Charlotte Hornets in Eastern Conference action.
The Hornets are 11-36 in conference games. Charlotte has an 8-39 record against opponents above .500.
The Celtics are 38-9 in Eastern Conference play. Boston ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference with 15.3 fast break points per game led by Jaylen Brown averaging 4.4.
The Hornets average 106.4 points per game, 3.1 fewer points than the 109.5 the Celtics allow. The Celtics average 120.9 points per game, 4.0 more than the 116.9 the Hornets give up.
The teams play for the second time this season. The Hornets won the last matchup 121-118 in overtime on Nov. 21, with LaMelo Ball scoring 36 points in the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Bridges is averaging 21.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists for the Hornets. Brandon Miller is averaging 17.2 points over the past 10 games.
Tatum is scoring 27.3 points per game and averaging 8.2 rebounds for the Celtics. Derrick White is averaging 3.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Hornets: 2-8, averaging 100.9 points, 37.5 rebounds, 24.5 assists, 6.7 steals and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.3 points per game.
Celtics: 8-2, averaging 121.8 points, 42.0 rebounds, 27.6 assists, 7.5 steals and 6.1 blocks per game while shooting 49.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.6 points.
INJURIES: Hornets: LaMelo Ball: out for season (ankle), Aleksej Pokusevski: out (illness), Seth Curry: out (ankle), Mark Williams: out (back), Cody Martin: out (ankle).
Celtics: JD Davison: out (ankle), Jaylen Brown: day to day (hand), Kristaps Porzingis: day to day (hamstring), Jaden Springer: day to day (knee).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
