Boston Celtics vs New Orleans Pelicans Preview
At 7:30 ET, the New Orleans Pelicans (26-20) will travel to TD Garden to take on the Boston Celtics (35-11). The Celtics are currently favored by 8 points and are 1st in the Eastern Conference. The Pelicans are 7th in the Western Conference and have lost their last two games.
This non-conference matchup can be seen on NBCS.
Check out BetCoco for Boston Celtics – New Orleans Pelicans odds
Boston Celtics vs New Orleans Pelicans Head-to-Head and Key Stats
Last season, the Pelicans and Celtics did not face off head-to-head. When looking back over the last three times these two teams have played, the Celtics have the leg up at 3-0. The Celtics also had the edge vs. the spread in these games, at 3-0. These games averaged a combined total of 222 points per game leading to an over/under record of 1-2.
- In their last ten games away from home, the Pelicans have a straight up record of 7-3 while going 6-4 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 124 points per game in these contests.
- Across their last five home contests, Boston has been good against the spread posting a mark of 3-2. Their overall mark in these games was 4-1, while averaging 117 points per game.
- Looking back on the team’s last three games as the underdog, the Pelicans have a straight up record of 1-2. Their record vs the spread in these games was 1-2.
- Through their last three games as the favorite, the Celtics have an ATS record of 2-1 and a straight up mark of 2-1.
Boston Celtics vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction
This season, the Pelicans have an O/U record of 23-23, and their games have averaged 229.8 points per game. Today’s O/U line is set at 233.5.
In the Western Conference, the Pelicans are currently in 7th place with a record of 26-20. In the Southwest Division, they are in 1st place.
On the road, the Pelicans are 12-10 straight-up and 11-11 ATS. As the underdog, they are 11-10 and 12-9 ATS.
New Orleans has lost two straight games straight-up and ATS. In their last game, they were 3.5-point underdogs and lost to the Bucks by a score of 141-117.
This season, the Pelicans have been the underdog in 21 of their 46 games. As the underdog, they are 11-10 straight-up and 12-9 ATS. Their ATS record for the season is 25-21.
In their last game, the Pelicans and Bucks combined for 258 points, which was well above the O/U line of 243. Today’s O/U line is set at 233.5.
On the season, the Pelicans are 12th in the NBA in scoring at 116.7 points per game. However, when playing on the road, they are averaging 117.4 points per game compared to 116.1 at home.
In terms of field goal percentage, the Pelicans are 9th in the NBA at 48%. This has helped them to be 8th in true shooting percentage.
When it comes to three-point shooting, the Pelicans are 5th in the league in three-point percentage at 38%. However, they are just 23rd in three-point attempts per game.
New Orleans’ defense has been playing well, ranking 14th in the NBA with 113.0 points allowed per game. In the terms of takeaways, Pelicans are causing 12.7 turnovers per game, ranking 14th in the league. They also enter the matchup ranked 21st in rejections, averaging 4.7 blocked shots each game.
Today, the Celtics are 8-point favorites at home against the Pelicans. In their games this season, Boston has been favored in 43 of their 46 games and has a record of 33-10 as the favorite.
Boston’s ATS record for the season is 22-22, and they have failed to cover the spread in their last two home games. Their average scoring margin vs. the spread at home is +13.3 points per game.
In their most recent game, the Celtics lost to the Clippers by a score of 115-96. The O/U line for that game was 231.5, and Boston was favored by 6.5 points going into the game.
This season, the Celtics have an O/U record of 23-23, and their games have averaged a combined 231 points. In their last 27 games, the average O/U line has been 230.8.
Boston is currently in 1st place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 35-11. Against other Eastern Conference teams, they are 24-6 and 11-5 in non-conference games. On the road, the Celtics have an ATS record of 10-13.
Heading into tonight’s game, the Celtics are one of the most potent offenses in the league, averaging 120.3 points per game (4th). At home, they are scoring even more, averaging 121.7 points per game (5th).
So far this season, Boston has outscored the NBA scoring average in 69.6% of their games. They are one of the top three-point shooting teams in the league, leading the NBA in three-point attempts and makes per game. From downtown, they are shooting 37% (4th).
Despite their high-scoring offense, the Celtics are only 18th in pace at 98.6 possessions per game. However, they are one of the most efficient teams in the league, ranking 6th in true shooting percentage.
This season, the Celtics’ defense is the 4th ranked defense in the NBA at 4th PPG. So far, they have held opposing offenses below the NBA scoring average in 71.7% of their games. When it comes to defending inside the arc, the Celtics squad is permitting opposing teams to shoot at a clip of 52.1% inside the arc, and they’re also giving up 34.6% from downtown.
Even though they are 8 point underdogs, we see the Pelicans winning this game by a score of 117-116.
Boston Celtics vs New Orleans Pelicans Betting Tips
- We like the Pelicans on the moneyline (+263)
- The Pelicans are also our pick on the spread at +8
- Our NBA model projects 233 points, and we suggest taking the under
Boston Celtics Injury Report
- Al Horford – Neck – Questionable
- Kristaps Porzingis – Ankle – Questionable
- Luke Kornet – Hamstring – Doubtful
New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report
No Injuries Reported
