Who: New Orleans Pelicans at Boston Celtics
When: Saturday, Jan. 11, 7:00 p.m ET
Where: TD Garden
How to watch: Fox Sports New Orleans
In lieu of a more typical preview, we instead took the chance to talk to CelticsWire’s Justin Quinn about Boston’s season, how they match-up to Lonzo Ball and how the two teams compare with one another.
LonzoWire: Can you give me an overview of the Celtics’ season so far?
Justin Quinn: The Boston Celtics started out much stronger than most anticipated, with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, in particular, showing jumps in development crystallized into a cohesive unit by new arrival Kemba Walker’s leadership. Gordon Hayward looking much better was also a significant factor in the excellent start.
There’s been a bit of a stumble since as the malaise of midseason, the law of averages, a busy schedule, injury and illness have combined to slow Boston down to a good team with some structural concerns still in need of attention if the team really plans to compete for a championship come spring.
LW: How do the Celtics match-up against Lonzo Ball? Who do you see as the primary defenders on him?
JQ: Very well with so many long, rangy defenders. Even though Ball will likely be handling the rock for the Pels, they won’t be expecting Walker to guard him much. That honor will probably fall on Jaylen Brown on defense, with Walker covering Jrue Holiday. We could also see help from Tatum and Hayward.
New Orleans may not have the talent advantage, but they also don’t present a natural cover for Walker, so we may see a bit more Marcus Smart minutes than usual as a result.
LW: How do the Celtics win Thursday’s matchup? How does New Orleans win?
JQ: Boston will win if they can use the ball-movement, switchy style of play that drove their early-season success. It’s really hard to guard them when they communicate and circulate the ball — sooner or later it generates open looks all of their starters are capable of nailing. They’ve been playing with a general lack of urgency of late though that teams have been able to capitalize on, especially earlier in games.
To that point, if New Orleans can come out and hit the Celtics hard in the mouth, building a double-digit lead early, it has a better than good chance of winning based on what we’ve seen from Boston over its last three games. Play hard, execute well, and keep heads up when you miss, getting back on defense.
Boston should be hungry for a win, though, so those first few minutes may well decide the game.
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