The New Orleans Pelicans (9-6, 5-2 Home) host the Boston Celtics (12-3, 6-2 Away) Friday in what should be a high-scoring game.Boston blew out the Atlanta Hawks 126-101 at State Farm Arena on Wednesday, their eighth consecutive win. With 22 points, Jaylen Brown was the top scorer.
Derrick White was another key contributor with 16 points and 10 assists. The Celtics are the first seed in the Eastern Conference, 0.5 games ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks. New Orleans won their third in a row on Wednesday at Smoothie King Center, beating the Chicago Bulls 124-110.
CJ McCollum recorded 23 points to lead the team in scoring. With 19 points and 10 rebounds, Trey Murphy III also had a strong game. The Pelicans are the seventh seed in the Western Conference. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Boston won both matchups between the teams last season, the last of which was a 107-97 triumph at Smoothie King Center on January 29.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 38 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. Jose Alvarado had 19 points, four rebounds, four steals, and two assists in the loss. The Celts have been led this season by Tatum, who is averaging 31.1 points per game, best in the league.
Tatum also has grabbed 7.4 rebounds per game, most in the NBA. Meanwhile, Marcus Smart is dishing 7.1 assists.Zion Williamson (23.5 ppg) and Brandon Ingram (20.7) have powered the Pels’ offense. Williamson leads the league in scoring, while Ingram is first. Jonas Valanciunas is averaging 9.4 rebounds per game, most in the league, and McCollum is tallying 6.6 assists (1st).
The Celtics and the Pelicans rank as two of the top offenses in the league, first and fifth in offensive efficiency, respectively. The Pelicans have found success in the Celtics’ last 10 visits to Smoothie King Center, winning six. Boston is seeking a fifth straight win away from TD Garden this season. New Orleans is seeking a fourth straight home win this season.
In the last 10 games, Boston is 9-1 with an average margin of +11.2 (121.8-110.6). New Orleans has a 6-4 record over the last 10, scoring 115.2 points per game on average while allowing 110.4 (+4.8 margin).
CELTICS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Derrick White: 21.4 | 16.3 | +5.1
Malcolm Brogdon: 12.0 | 21.1 | -9.1
Points per game:
Malcolm Brogdon: 9.0 | 13.7 | -4.7
Rebounds per game:
Al Horford: 8.8 | 6.9 | +1.8
SportsTips’ NBA Pick:
Over 226.5 (-115)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
