Let's close 2019 out on a high note, shall we?
The Boston Celtics are in Charlotte on Tuesday to take on the Hornets in an afternoon special on New Year's Eve. That contest gives us an opportunity to build on quite the hot streak: 12-0-0 picking the Celtics' moneyline, point spread and point total over Boston's last four games.
Tuesday's C's-Hornets matchup has an added wrinkle: Eastern Conference Player of the Week Jaylen Brown won't play due to illness.
But Boston has dominated each of the teams' previous two matchups, winning both by more than 20 points. Will that trend continue in Kemba Walker's second trip back to the Spectrum Center since leaving Charlotte?
Here are our betting predictions for Celtics-Hornets, including two NBA locks against the spread.
(All odds provided by WestGate Superbook.)
LIVE stream the Celtics all season and get the latest news and analysis on all of your teams from NBC Sports Boston by downloading the My Teams App.
Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics at Charlotte Hornets, 3 p.m. ET
Moneyline: The Celtics have had a couple days to catch their breath after Sunday's sloppy home loss to the Toronto Raptors. The Hornets haven't won a game in two weeks. Take the Celtics (-110) with confidence.
Point Spread: Brown's absence shouldn't be understated, and I can see the scrappy Hornets hanging around in this one. But Walker, Jayson Tatum and a less-rusty Marcus Smart help the Celtics (-7) overpower the Hornets to cover the spread.
Point Total: Between the mid-afternoon tip and Brown being out, this just feels like a weird, low-scoring game. Boston has held Charlotte to under 100 points in both of their meetings, so I like the UNDER on the 209.5 point total.
Darren's record picking the Celtics' moneyline, point spread and point total: 41-24-1
NBA Locks of the Night
Philadelphia 76ers (-1.5) at Indiana Pacers: Philly's subpar road record (7-10) and Indiana's strong play at home (14-3) explains why this line is so low. But the Sixers have won three straight against the Pacers and are the better team. Lock this one in.
Los Angeles Clippers (-7) at Sacramento Kings: Two days off means Kawhi Leonard and Paul George both should play in this one. It also means the tanking Kings are almost certainly headed for their eighth consecutive loss.
Darren's record picking NBA locks against the spread: 25-20-1
Don't miss NBC Sports Boston's coverage of Celtics-Hornets, which tips off Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. with Celtics Pregame Live, and then Kyle and Scal have the call at 3 p.m. You can also stream the game on the MyTeams App.