The New Orleans Pelicans and Boston Celtics meet Friday in NBA action at the TD Garden. Here’s a Celtics vs. Pelicans Prediction. This article will include a Celtics vs. Pelicans Pick.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
The New Orleans Pelicans lost to the Magic, beat the Jazz and play the Timberwolves next. The Pelicans have lost 8 of their last 9 games.
The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 115.3 points on 46.6 percent shooting and allowing 119.3 points on 47.6 percent shooting. Trey Murphy III is averaging 21.7 points and 5.7 rebounds, while Zion Williamson is averaging 21.4 points and 5.8 rebounds. Saddiq Bey is the third double-digit scorer, and Dejounte Murray is dishing 6.5 assists. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 34.7 percent from beyond the arc and 78.3 percent from the free-throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 34.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.9 rebounds per game.
Boston Celtics Betting Preview
The Boston Celtics beat the Hornets, lost to the Knicks and play the Magic next. The Celtics have won 29 of their last 40 games.
The Boston Celtics are averaging 114.6 points on 46.7 percent shooting and allowing 107 points on 44.1 percent shooting. Jaylen Brown is averaging 28.8 points and 7 rebounds, while Jayson Tatum is averaging 21.6 points and 9.8 rebounds. Derrick White is the third double-digit scorer, and Payton Pritchard is grabbing 4 rebounds. The Boston Celtics are shooting 36.4 percent from beyond the arc and 80.4 percent from the free throw line. The Boston Celtics are allowing 35.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 48.5 rebounds per game.
Why the Boston Celtics will win
- The Celtics have won each of their last 15 games against Southwest Division opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last 13 road games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Celtics have covered the spread in each of their last eight games against the Pelicans following a road loss.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in 10 of their last 11 games as road underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The road team has won three of the last four games between the Pelicans and Celtics.
- The Celtics have lost three of their last four games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The road team has covered the spread in four of the last five games between the Pelicans and Celtics.
- The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in each of their last three games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Celtics’ last seven games on the second leg of a back-to-back has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Pelicans’ last five games as underdogs following a home win has gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for opponent points per game this season (106.9).
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for opponent steals per game this season (6.1).
- The Pelicans have recorded the largest comeback win from an HT deficit this season—trailing by 22 points vs. the Rockets on December 18.
- The Pelicans rank 29th in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (12.7).
Celtics vs Pelicans Injury Report
The Celtics don’t have any players listed on their injury report.
Saddiq Bey and Herbert Jones are questionable for the Pelicans.
Celtics vs Pelicans Prediction
The Celtics have the ability to blow the doors off, but they don’t have much to play for and just played last night. Seeing guys sit and Tatum and others log minutes last night, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the leprechauns manage key players here as well. The Pelicans have played hard all season because they don’t have their pick and they’re 45-35 ATS on the season. This is a ton of points and I’m just not comfortable with it. I’m grabbing the buckets with the Pelicans.