Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET
Venue: TD Garden, Boston, MA
Broadcast: NBC Sports Boston (local Celtics); Bally Sports Southeast (local Hornets); possible national on ESPN/League Pass
Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub (BOS) / WFAN or Hornets radio network (CHA)
Game Context
- Hornets: 10th in Eastern Conference (17-15 away). Riding a 5-game win streak, they reached .500 for the first time since late October after a dominant 117-90 win over Dallas on March 3. Offense has clicked lately (averaging ~116 PPG in streak), but defense remains middling.
- Celtics: 2nd in Eastern Conference (20-9 home). Elite at home with strong defensive identity despite key injuries; they are 8-2 in their last 10 and coming off back-to-back wins (114-98 vs. PHI on March 1; 108-81 @ MIL on March 2).
This is the second meeting of the 2025-26 season (first was earlier; Celtics won most recent prior encounters).
Injury Report
Charlotte Hornets
- Coby White (G): GTD – Calf (injury management; was OUT vs. DAL on March 3 but listed as trending toward possible return)
- Other key players (LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, etc.): Available
Boston Celtics
- Jayson Tatum (F): Out – Achilles (return targeted mid-to-late March or later; long-term management)
- Jaylen Brown (G/F): GTD – Illness (questionable; missed or limited in recent practices)
- Neemias Queta (C): DTD – Rest (did not play March 2)
- Baylor Scheierman (G): Out – Thumb fracture
- Rest of roster largely healthy, but depth tested without Tatum/Brown
Key note: Boston’s championship-level depth (Pritchard, White, Hauser, etc.) has carried them through absences, but missing both Tatum and potentially Brown creates a rare vulnerability at home. Hornets get a boost if White plays.
Recent Form (Last 5 Games)
Hornets: 5-0 (hot streak, outscoring opponents by 15+ PPG lately)
- 3/3 vs DAL: W 117-90
- 2/28 vs POR: W 109-93
- Recent road wins and home dominance in streak; defense improving (holding teams under 100 in last two).
Celtics: 4-1
- 3/2 @ MIL: W 108-81
- 3/1 vs PHI: W 114-98
- Strong defensive outings (holding opponents to ~90 PPG in wins); offense efficient even without full stars.
Hornets enter with momentum from their longest streak of the season; Celtics are rested at home but shorthanded.
Key Player Matchups
- LaMelo Ball vs. Derrick White / Payton Pritchard: Ball (elite playmaking, ~20+ PPG / 8+ APG lately) exploits Boston’s guard rotation if Brown is out. White’s defense is elite, but Ball’s speed creates mismatches.
- Brandon Miller vs. Sam Hauser / Jrue Holiday (or fill-ins): Miller (21.0 PPG leader) gets space without Tatum/Brown clogging the floor; his 3-point volume could decide the perimeter battle.
- Miles Bridges / Grant Williams vs. Boston frontcourt (Queta, Kornet, etc.): Hornets’ athleticism tests Boston’s depleted bigs; rebounding edge possible for CHA.
- Bench edge: Celtics still have Pritchard (25+ PPG in recent wins) and depth, but Hornets’ bench has contributed heavily in the streak (if White returns, huge lift).
Series History
- All-time regular season: Celtics lead 81-46 (Hornets just 46 wins in 127 games).
- Last 10 meetings: Celtics 8-2 (7-3 ATS).
- Last meeting (2024-25 season): Celtics won 93-86 (April 13, 2025).
- Boston has won 6 straight vs. Charlotte dating back to 2024-25, including multiple double-digit victories at TD Garden.
- At TD Garden: Celtics dominate (Hornets just 1 win in last 8 visits).
Celtics have owned this matchup, but current injuries and Hornets’ streak make this the closest it’s been in years.
Betting Trends
- Celtics: 4-1 ATS last 5; 20-9 home SU; covered in 7 of last 9 vs. Southeast teams; Under in 33 of last 50 overall.
- Hornets: 5-0 SU in streak; 4-1 ATS as road dogs recently; Over in 4 of last 5 but totals trending lower vs. elite defenses.
- Head-to-head: Unders hit in 7 of last 10; Celtics 7-3 ATS last 10 vs. CHA.
Game Odds
Charlotte Hornets 214.5
Boston Celtics – 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, March 3, 2026
