On Monday night, the Pelicans put an end to a two-game losing streak during which they faced tough opposition without some key components. The Celtics returned home on Monday and put down a Chicago Bulls side that never quit.

Check out the NBA odds.

Pelicans vs. Celtics NBA Betting Odds

New Orleans and Boston have traded wins over the past seven contests, with the latter franchise claiming four. Boston rides a three-game win streak against their Louisianian foes. Fate appears to favour the Celtics. In November, when the team took care of business in New Orleans, superstar Zion Williamson was recovering from injury. Guess what: he’s newly banged up and won’t play Wednesday.

Given the injury bug that has infested Willie Green’s ensemble, their third-place ranking in the West and 25-16 record are commendable. On the flip side, it has made covering the spread challenging. Look no further than the team’s 21-20 tally ATS. Consistency has been an issue since Boxing Day. New Orleans hasn’t been able to cover two consecutive spreads in eight games.

At this stage in the season, Boston is a handsome bet if one only goes for the moneyline. Consider the last six games. Although they went 4-2 over that span, ATS they’re a risible 1-5!  Boston wins by any means necessary, including toughing it out against teams the pundits believe they should handle with aplomb.

New Orleans Pelicans

A visit to the U.S. capital to pay the Wizards may prove to be more critical than at first glance. New Orleans fell in its two previous games, each time against strong opposition (Brooklyn and Dallas) without its starts like Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram (CJ McCollum didn’t play against the Mavericks). Now they look towards a road contest against the Celtics, so a date with the 17-23 Wizards was needed, as was the 132-112 victory.

Credit to Willie Green, whose magical coaching began last season. He’s mustering that same energy and tactical know-how again. Turnovers were the key to victory against the Wizards, with New Orleans forcing no fewer than 20, most of which led to easy buckets. Fast break points were essential to keeping Washington at bay, and the third frame was when the Pelicans began separating themselves from the hosts. A 74-46 advantage regarding points in the paint is all one needs to know. McCollum and Jonas Valanciunas were feeling it, going for 34 and 27 points respectively.

Boston Celtics

Let us know if you’ve heard this one before: Boston failed to cover the spread, played a tough game against a team with an inferior record, but in the end, found a way to win. Such is the tale those who watched Monday’s game against the Bulls will tell about the 107-99 victory.

Once more Chicago demonstrated an ability to never back down from a challenge. Scoring guru DeMar DeRozan went down in the third quarter with a muscular strain. That was Zach LaVine’s calling to try and be the hero. He was sensational in the final period, during which he scored 15 of his 27 points. But Boston can win in many ways. Chicago’s defence in the key was a little soft, and the Celtics went through it time and time again. On a night when the three-point shooting suffered (26.8 per cent), 44 points in the paint helped pave the way, as did a 20-21 night collectively from the free-throw line. No surprise here: Jayson Tatum led the way with 32 points.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Pelicans vs. Celtics?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Pelicans Team Leaders

NO

Points	Zion Williamson 26
Assists	Brandon Ingram 5.82
Rebounds	Jonas Valanciunas 10.18
FG%	Larry Nance Jr. 61
Steals	Herbert Jones 1.56
Blocks	Jonas Valanciunas 0.66

BOS

Points	Jayson Tatum 30.07
Assists	Marcus Smart 6.26
Rebounds	Jayson Tatum 8.77
FG%	Robert Williams III 74.7
Steals	Marcus Smart 1.52
Blocks	Robert Williams III 1.37

NO

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

BOS

Points	Jayson Tatum 27.15
Assists	Jayson Tatum 5.25
Rebounds	Jayson Tatum 10.5
FG%	Luke Kornet 87.5
Steals	Marcus Smart 1.25
Blocks	Al Horford 1.7

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Celtics Team Leaders

NO

Points	Zion Williamson 26
Assists	Brandon Ingram 5.82
Rebounds	Jonas Valanciunas 10.18
FG%	Larry Nance Jr. 61
Steals	Herbert Jones 1.56
Blocks	Jonas Valanciunas 0.66

BOS

Points	Jayson Tatum 30.07
Assists	Marcus Smart 6.26
Rebounds	Jayson Tatum 8.77
FG%	Robert Williams III 74.7
Steals	Marcus Smart 1.52
Blocks	Robert Williams III 1.37

NO

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

BOS

Points	Jayson Tatum 27.15
Assists	Jayson Tatum 5.25
Rebounds	Jayson Tatum 10.5
FG%	Luke Kornet 87.5
Steals	Marcus Smart 1.25
Blocks	Al Horford 1.7

Injuries

New Orleans

Larry Nance Jr. (SF)

Out Wed Ankle - 11 / 04 / 23

Brandon Ingram (SF)

Prob Tues Ankle - 08 / 03 / 23

Josh Richardson (SG)

Ques Weds Personal - 03 / 03 / 23

Jonas Valanciunas (C)

Out Fri Calf - 28 / 02 / 23

Josh Richardson (SG)

Ques Wed Quadricep - 28 / 02 / 23

Larry Nance Jr. (SF)

Prob Sun Ankle - 25 / 02 / 23

Larry Nance Jr. (SF)

Prob Thurs Groin - 15 / 02 / 23

CJ McCollum (SG)

Prob Wed Ankle - 12 / 02 / 23

Brandon Ingram (SF)

Prob Tues Toe - 05 / 02 / 23

Jonas Valanciunas (C)

Prob Tues Quadricep - 04 / 02 / 23

Boston

Malcolm Brogdon (SG)

Prob Mon Forearm - 25 / 05 / 23

Malcolm Brogdon (SG)

Prob Fri Forearm - 17 / 05 / 23

Marcus Smart (PG)

Prob Sun Ankle - 06 / 05 / 23

Blake Griffin (PF)

Prob Sun Back - 05 / 05 / 23

Marcus Smart (PG)

Ques Wed Chest - 02 / 05 / 23

Marcus Smart (PG)

Prob Sun Tailbone - 22 / 04 / 23

Al Horford (C)

Prob Sat Back - 08 / 04 / 23

Robert Williams III (C)

Prob Sat Knee - 08 / 04 / 23

Derrick White (PG)

Prob Fri Ankle - 06 / 04 / 23

Malcolm Brogdon (SG)

Prob Sat Back - 06 / 04 / 23

Injuries

New Orleans

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Larry Nance Jr. (SF)	Out Wed	Ankle - 11 / 04 / 23	0-1	0-1	+ -
Nance is dealing with left ankle soreness, and he will not suit up against the Thunder in the Western Conference Play-in tournament.
Brandon Ingram (SF)	Prob Tues	Ankle - 08 / 03 / 23	10-7	5-13	+ -
Ingram has missed the previous two contests with a right ankle sprain, but it is not expected to affect his status for Tuesday's tilt against the Lakers.
Josh Richardson (SG)	Ques Weds	Personal - 03 / 03 / 23	11-8	5-15	+ -
Richardson missed the last two games with a personal matter, and it is unclear if he will play versus the Mavericks on Wednesday.
Jonas Valanciunas (C)	Out Fri	Calf - 28 / 02 / 23	11-10	6-16	+ -
Valanciunas sat out the last game with a left calf contusion, and he will not suit up Friday against the Warriors.
Josh Richardson (SG)	Ques Wed	Quadricep - 28 / 02 / 23	11-10	6-16	+ -
Richardson is nursing a right quad contusion, leaving his status for Wednesday's clash with the Trail Blazers up in the air.
Larry Nance Jr. (SF)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 25 / 02 / 23	11-11	6-17	+ -
Nance Jr. has been sidelined with a lower left ankle sprain, but he is projected to make his return against the Trail Blazers on Sunday.
Larry Nance Jr. (SF)	Prob Thurs	Groin - 15 / 02 / 23	12-12	6-19	+ -
Nance Jr. sat out the last game with left groin soreness, but it is anticipated that he will play Thursday against the Raptors.
CJ McCollum (SG)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 12 / 02 / 23	12-13	7-19	+ -
McCollum missed the previous game with a right ankle sprain, but it is expected that he will face off against the Lakers on Wednesday.
Brandon Ingram (SF)	Prob Tues	Toe - 05 / 02 / 23	15-13	9-20	+ -
Ingram was out of the lineup in the previous match due to left big toe soreness, but it is forecasted that he will be available against the Hawks on Tuesday.
Jonas Valanciunas (C)	Prob Tues	Quadricep - 04 / 02 / 23	15-14	9-21	+ -
Valanciunas sat out the last contest with right quad soreness, but he is anticipated to suit up for Tuesday's tilt versus the Hawks.

Boston

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Malcolm Brogdon (SG)	Prob Mon	Forearm - 25 / 05 / 23	2-1	0-3	+ -
Brogdon is nursing a partially torn tendon in his right forearm, but it is anticipated that he will be active versus the Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Malcolm Brogdon (SG)	Prob Fri	Forearm - 17 / 05 / 23	3-4	3-4	+ -
Brogdon is managing a right forearm strain, but it is likely that he will take on the Heat in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Marcus Smart (PG)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 06 / 05 / 23	5-6	6-5	+ -
Smart is hobbled by a left ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will take on the 76ers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Blake Griffin (PF)	Prob Sun	Back - 05 / 05 / 23	6-6	6-6	+ -
Griffin is tending to lower-back pain, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the 76ers.
Marcus Smart (PG)	Ques Wed	Chest - 02 / 05 / 23	6-7	7-6	+ -
Smart is nursing a chest contusion, leaving his status against the 76ers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals up in the air.
Marcus Smart (PG)	Prob Sun	Tailbone - 22 / 04 / 23	8-9	11-6	+ -
Smart is hindered by a tailbone contusion, but it is projected that he will take on the Hawks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Al Horford (C)	Prob Sat	Back - 08 / 04 / 23	12-9	13-8	+ -
Horford is nursing lower back stiffness, but it is projected that he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Hawks.
Robert Williams III (C)	Prob Sat	Knee - 08 / 04 / 23	12-9	13-8	+ -
Williams is managing left knee soreness, but it is not expected to affect his status for the Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round with the Hawks.
Derrick White (PG)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 06 / 04 / 23	13-9	13-9	+ -
White has a left ankle sprain, but it is not expected to affect his availability for Friday's tilt with the Raptors.
Malcolm Brogdon (SG)	Prob Sat	Back - 06 / 04 / 23	13-9	13-9	+ -
Brogdon is hampered by lower-back soreness, but it is likely that he will bounce back in time to face the Hawks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.