10* TOTAL MASSACRE on UNDER Hornets/Celtics.

The Charlotte Hornets and the Boston Celtics are in a tight four-team race for 3rd-6th place in the Eastern Conference. Both teams have their eyes on home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs, and we should see a low-scoring competive game tonight.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. The Celtic's Recent Games - Boston had won four straight behind some solid defending prior to a 118-107 loss at Atlanta Saturday. The under is 7-3 in the Celtics last 10 overall and 6-1 in their last seven home games vs. a team with a losing road record.

2. Charlotte's Most Recent Game - The Hornets are off a disappointing 113-98 against the Wizards last night. They allowed their opponent to shoot 52.5 percent from the field and my assumption is they'll step up their defending in a major way tonight like they had in their previous three games when holding Toronto, New York and Brooklyn to fewer than 100 points.

3. X-Factor - Boston's Isaiah Thomas struggled to find his shot Saturday going 6-of-19 from the floor.

Selection: This is a play on CHA@BOS to go UNDER the total (10*)