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Time, TV, odds and notes

Boston and Charlotte couldn’t be more different in terms of expectations, with the Celtics aiming for 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 do share a few notable connections.

First-year Hornets coach Charles Lee was an assistant during the Celtics’ 2023-2024 title run, and he and former Celtic Grant Williams will face their old team in back-to-back games Friday and Saturday at Spectrum Center.

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

As the Hornets’ bench looks to continue its scoring fire alongside LaMelo Ball’s blinding attack, the Celtics look to get back on track after the Pacers handed them their first loss of the season in overtime 135-132 on Wednesday night inflicted.

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

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

Here’s your example.

When: Friday, 7 p.m

Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC

television, radio: NBCSB, WBZ-FM 98.5

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

CEL SIGN

Season record: 4-1. vs. spreading: 3-2. Top/bottom: 3-2

Last 10 matches: 8-2. vs. spreading: 6-3, 1 pressure. Top/bottom: 3-7

HORNETS

Season record: 2-2. vs. spreading: 2-2. Top/bottom: 2-2

Last 10 matches: 5-5. vs. spreading: 6-4. Top/bottom: 8-2

Statistic of the day: Through five games, 2023-24 All-Defensive Second Team member Jrue Holiday has recorded just one steal, and that 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 three-point range in the game, and Lee credited his forwards and centers with getting his shooters open at the rim. “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 see Boston refuse to roll over and come back to force overtime after trailing by as many as 24 points … Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown are Boston’s been the leading scorer in each of the Celtics’ first five games this season. Tatum scored 37 points three times.


Aiden Sprole can be reached at [email protected].