Time, TV, odds and notes

On By Littum

Boston and Charlotte couldn’t be more different in terms of expectations, with the Celtics pursuing a title defense and the Hornets coming off a season in which they finished with the third-worst record in the Eastern Conference. But they share a few noticeable connections.

First-year Hornets coach Charles Lee was an assistant during the Celtics’ 2023-24 title run, and he and former Celtic Grant Williams will face their old teams at the Spectrum Center in back-to-back games Friday and Saturday.

The Hornets are fresh off a 138-133 win over Toronto, where Tre Mann, Cody Martin and Williams exploded for a combined 69 points off the bench.

While the Hornets’ bench looks to continue its scoring barrage along with LaMelo Ball’s razzle-dazzle offense, the Celtics aim to get back on track after the Pacers handed them their first loss of the season in overtime 135-132 on Wednesday night.

Hornets guard Brandon Miller is questionable after missing more than a week with a glute injury.

For the Celtics, Sam Hauser is available. Al Horford (strain management) is out and Kristaps Porzingis remains out as he recovers from surgery on his left posterior tibialis tendon.

Here is your preview.

When: Friday at 19.00

Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC

TV, radio: NBCSB, WBZ-FM 98.5

Line: Boston -12. O/U: 233.0.

CELTIC

Season record: 4-1. vs. spread: 3-2. Above/below: 3-2

Last 10 games: 8-2. vs. spread: 6-3, 1 pressure. Above/below: 3-7

HORNETS

Season record: 2-2. vs. spread: 2-2. Above/below: 2-2

Last 10 games: 5-5. vs. spread: 6-4. Above/below: 8-2

Today’s stats: Through five games, 2023-24 All-Defensive Second Team member Jrue Holiday has recorded just one steal, which came in the opener against New York.

Notes: Tre Mann’s 27 points Wednesday night against the Raptors marked the first time this season that LaMelo Ball wasn’t Charlotte’s leading scorer. … The Hornets knocked down 20 shots from 3-point range in the game, and Lee credited his forwards and centers for getting his shooters open on the perimeter. “No. 1 is our screening,” Lee said. “Our bigs do a phenomenal job of helping our guards create an advantage.” … Despite his team’s loss to Indiana on the road, Joe Mazzulla was happy to watch Boston refuse to roll over and come back to force overtime after being down by as many as 24 points.. Either Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown has been Boston’s leading scorer in each of the Celtics’ first five games this season. Tatum has scored 37 points three times.

Aiden Sprole can be contacted at [email protected].