Pelicans vs. Celtics Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread
After blowing a 24-point lead and losing in overtime just over a month ago, the Boston Celtics are looking for some revenge against the New Orleans Pelicans at TD Garden on Monday night.
The Celtics are 4-point favourites to win on the NBA odds with a total of 230.5.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
This will be the second and final regular season meeting between these teams this year. The Pelicans clawed their way back from a 24-point deficit to pull out a 120-115 OT win in New Orleans on Feb. 21. Brandon Ingram had a game-high 33 points in the win, while Jasyon Tatum led the way for Boston with 32 points.
New Orleans has struggled heavily on the road this season. They have a winning record at home, but are just 6-14 on the road. The Pelicans have lost five of their last six games in Boston and they’ve fallen short of the total in four of their last five games overall. They’re 21-14 against the spread, covering in nine of 20 road games.
It’s been an up-and-down year for the Celtics. Despite a losing record on the road, they’re exactly .500 on the season thanks to a 13-7 record at TD Garden. Boston has hit the Over in half of their home games and have covered in four of their last six games overall. They’re 22-24 ATS for the season.
New Orleans Pelicans
In the absence of Lonzo Ball, Zion Williamson abused the Mavericks in New Orleans’ 112-103 win over Dallas on Saturday. Williamson finished with a game-high 38 points, a day after dropping a career-high 39 points against Denver. The Pelicans’ superstar has hit the 30-point mark in three of his last four games and is shooting 72.3 per cent from the field to average 33.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists over those games.
Ball is questionable to miss his fifth straight game while he recovers from a right hip flexor strain. New Orleans has managed to win three of four games without Ball, but they still sit outside of the Western Conference playoff picture. This team needs to improve defensively if they want to get into the playoffs. They put up an average of 115.4 points per game, which is fifth-best in the league, but they give up 114.8 points, which ranks them No. 25. Bottom line, that defensive rating isn’t good enough against a team like Boston.
Boston Celtics
Boston will get a boost for this game, as fans will be back in TD Garden for the first time in over a year. About 2,400 fans should be in attendance for the first of a seven-game homestand for the Celtics. Those fans will be hoping Boston has turned things around, as they’ve won two straight games, but lost six of their last 10. The Celtics are still in a playoff spot, but they’re in a very crowded Eastern Conference that continues to change daily.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were once again the difference-maker’s in Boston’s 111-94 win over OKC on Saturday. Tatum had a game-high 27 points, while Brown was right behind him with 25 points. As good as those players have been, the Celtics need Kemba Walker to put them over the top. Walker’s numbers are below his career averages this season and he’s shooting below 40 per cent from the field for the first time since 2014-15. In his last 10 games, Walker is averaging 16.9 points and 4.7 assists, both well below his career averages. If Walker comes alive, this Boston team can be very dangerous.
NO
BOS