2022 NBA Betting Picks: Boston Celtics May Enter Panic Mode vs. Charlotte Hornets

Eric Uribe
By , Updated on: May 2, 2022 08:00 PM
2022 NBA Betting Picks: Boston Celtics May Enter Panic Mode vs. Charlotte Hornets

Mega-loaded regular-season slates always make for excellent NBA online betting experiences, and it just so happens that's what the Association has in store for us on Wednesday, January 19.

A whopping 13 games, spanning 26 of the league's 30 teams, are on tap for us. Many of them are incredibly high-stakes, too. When looking at our NBA picks, we're most drawn to the Boston Celtics, who are verging on panic right now and facing a must-win contest against the Charlotte Hornets.

Let's begin, like always, by taking stock of the latest betting odds on the NBA:

FavoriteMyBookieMyBookieUnderdog
Brooklyn Nets-112-104Washington Wizards
Philadelphia 76ers-820+570Orlando Magic
Atlanta Hawks-142+120Minnesota Timberwolves
Boston Celtics-194+162Charlotte Hornets
Miami Heat-420+330Portland Trail Blazers
Milwaukee Bucks-260+215Memphis Grizzlies
Cleveland Cavaliers-116-102Chicago Bulls
Dallas Mavericks-176+148Toronto Raptors
San Antonio Spurs-270+220Oklahoma City Thunder
Utah Jazz-800+560Houston Rockets
Denver Nuggets-295+240LA Clippers
Sacramento Kings-235+194Detroit Pistons
Los Angeles Lakers-205+172Indiana Pacers

Make sure you're in the habit of double-checking these NBA betting odds prior to settling on your NBA picks. All NBA betting lines are subject to change until the game starts. And while you're at it, go ahead and pore over our detailed reviews of the top online sportsbooks. These evaluations are designed to help you spot the best NBA betting sites around.

Celtics, Lakers, and Nets All Facing High Stakes

Believe it or not, the Celtics aren't the only one of the NBA's flagship franchises feeling the pressure on Wednesday.

The Los Angeles Lakers are trying to prove they're not fool's gold against the Indiana Pacers while slogging through rumors that head coach Frank Vogel might be fired. The Brooklyn Nets are yet again beginning life without Kevin Durant, who is out for the foreseeable future with a sprained left MCL. They will have their work cut out for them against the Washington Wizards. The Chicago Bulls, meanwhile, must go up against a sizzling Cleveland Cavaliers squad with a shorthanded roster.

Without further ado, then, let's get to our best NBA betting picks.

Boston Gets Much Needed Win Over Charlotte

Other than the Atlanta Hawks and Lakers, no team in the NBA has been more disappointing than the Celtics. Many even think they'll be sellers rather than buyers around the NBA trade deadline.

Fortunately for Boston, they're catching a break versus Charlotte. LaMelo Ball isn't expected to suit up, and the Hornets' interior defense is bad enough that even a team terrible at putting pressure on the rim like the Celtics should be able to score in the paint.

OSB Prediction: Boston Celtics (-194)

Boston Celtics To beat the Charlotte Hornets
-194
MyBookie

Lakers Stave Off Disaster vs. Pacers

The Lakers are coming off their best win of the season after dethroning the Utah Jazz on Monday night. That doesn't mean they're out of the woods. They're not. Far from it, in fact.

Though LeBron James is playing fantastic basketball, the Lakers continue to be a nightmare when it comes to protecting the ball and scoring in the half-court without him. They also never know what type of game they'll get from Russell Westbrook.

Of course, none of this seems to matter. The Pacers are banged up and only getting worse. They just announced Myles Turner, one of their three best players, will be out indefinitely with a stress fracture in his left foot.

OSB Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers (-205)

Los Angeles Lakers To beat the Indiana Pacers
-205
MyBookie

Nets Squeak By Wizards without KD

Life without Kevin Durant for the next six weeks, at minimum, isn't going to be easy for the Nets. Joe Harris is still on the shelf, and Kyrie Irving will only be playing in road games unless he receives his COVID-19 vaccine.

For this contest specifically, though, we're not that worried. The Nets have an enviable point differential when James Harden plays without KD, and because this one's taking place in Washington, Kyrie will be available for Brooklyn.

OSB Prediction: Brooklyn Nets (-112)

Brooklyn Nets To beat the Washington Wizards
-112
MyBookie

Chicago Falls to Cleveland

The Bulls may be sitting atop the Eastern Conference, but a bad stretch of health is starting to catch up with them. As it stands, Chicago will be without Patrick Williams, Javonte Green, Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, and Zach Lavine when they take on Cleveland.

Now, the Cavaliers are shorthanded themselves. Both Ricky Rubio and Collin Sexton are out for the season with injuries. But between Darius Garland's offensive rise and gritty defense from Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, their depth is more intact than the Bulls' right now.

OSB Prediction: Cleveland Cavaliers (-116)

Cleveland Cavaliers To beat the Chicago Bulls
-116
MyBookie

Raptors Earn Respect with Upset Against Mavericks

Continue sleeping on the Toronto Raptors at your own risk. They still aren't 100 percent; Gary Trent Jr. remains on the shelf. But Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and OG Anunoby are finally all healthy at the same time—and playing like All-Stars.

The Dallas Mavericks, to their credit, are perking up. Their defense has been much better in recent weeks, and Jalen Brunson has given Luka Doncic a legit No. 2 on offense. Still, the Raptors have the makings of a sleeping giant while the Mavs, frankly do not.

OSB Prediction: Toronto Raptors (+148)

Toronto Raptors To beat the Dallas Mavericks
+148
MyBookie

Take a look at this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can decide which one to use for all your NBA betting:

Meet the author

Eric Uribe

Eric has been passionate about sports since he was 10 years old. He brings over 10 years of sports journalism experience to his expert coverage of sports betting. Hailing from the US, Eric leverages his diverse expertise covering sports at all levels – from high sch...

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