Pelicans vs Celtics: NBA Betting Lines & Preview Game

The NBA-best Boston Celtics have lost back-to-back games just once this season and look to avoid that on Monday when they host a very capable New Orleans Pelicans team. Boston is a solid favorite on the NBA odds. 2024 NBA Expert Analysis New Orleans vs Boston | MyBookie Sportsbook NBA Week 15

Where: TD Garden
TV: NBA League Pass
Stream: NBA.com, NBA TV app
Radio: Tunein.com
NBA Odds: Celtics -2.5 (total TBA)

Why Bet on New Orleans Pelicans?

“Give them credit,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said. “They dominated the game. It was really a lackluster performance on our part, and it starts with me. I’ve got to hold our guys more accountable. This is a tough back-to-back. We know it, flying up here. They had a back-to-back as well, probably some tired legs, but our fight has to be better. Those guys in the locker room, they know it.”

Zion Williamson returned from a one-game absence with 23 points in 29 minutes. Zion hasn’t attacked the glass or made defensive plays at reasonable rates for his position this season, with Saturday representing his eighth game across 37 appearances with three or fewer rebounds. Williamson connecting on all of his free-throw attempts is a silver lining, as a season-long 66.4 percent clip at the stripe is his worst efficiency since his rookie season.

Williamson has been making opponents pay under the basket, however. He ranks 2nd in the league in restricted zone field goals per game, averaging 6.9 on the season while shooting 68.3% near the basket.

CJ McCollum had an off night with just seven points. Still, he ranks first in the league in shooting 44 percent from deep among players who attempt a minimum of seven three-pointers per game.

Addition, the Pels are ranked 5th in the NBA in isolation defensive PPP, averaging 0.88 points per possession, and are ranked 4th in the NBA in loose balls recovered per game with 6.0 per game. Lastly, New Orleans is ranked 12th in the NBA in total charges drawn with 23 on the season and are ranked 3rd in contested three-point shots, averaging 20.1 per game.

Why Bet on Boston Celtics?

The Celtics were without Kristaps Porzingis due to an ankle injury. He’s questionable for Monday.

“Yeah, guys were pretty motivated,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “They came to LA and beat us pretty bad. So guys were locked in. We understand it was a back-to-back. But guys were locked in. They were up for the challenge. It was a game we thought (Paul George) might be out, but he wanted to play and see where we’re at. Just a measuring stick against a great team.”

Pelicans vs Celtics Expert Prediction

Celtics 118, Pelicans 111

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