The Boston Celtics (25-25) travel to Smoothie King Center Saturday to take on the New Orleans Pelicans (18-30). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Celtics vs. Pelicans odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Celtics, who are 24-25-1 against the spread (ATS) this season, are coming into this battle after failing to cover as 1.5-point home underdogs on the road against Atlanta.
They lost by 16. The Celtics have covered just 4 of their last 6 and are 6-3 ATS as an away favorite.
As for the Pelicans, they were without both C Jonas Valančiūnas and F Brandon Ingram against the Nuggets, failing to cover as 4-point home underdogs. New Orleans has covered 6 of its last 10.
However, without an updated injury report, I’d be hesitant to bet on New Orleans.
Celtics at Pelicans odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:15 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Celtics -240 (bet $100 to win $240) | Pelicans +190. (bet $100 to win $190)
- Against the spread (ATS): Celtics -5.5 (-112) | Pelicans +5.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 213.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
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Celtics at Pelicans key injuries
Celtics
- Not Yet Submitted
Pelicans
- PG Devonte’ Graham (knee) questionable
- PF Brandon Ingram (ankle) questionable
- C Jonas Valanciunas (illness) questionable
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Celtics at Pelicans odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 110, Pelicans 102
Money line
PASS on the money line.
The Celtics are just .500 this season and haven’t shown enough to comfortably back at -230. Similarly, the Pelicans will likely be down one or both of their stars, making their money line also not favorable for bettors.
Against the spread
BET on the CELTICS -5.5 (-112).
Boston is coming off a loss, and it’s a get-right spot for a team that’s far more talented on both ends of the court.
Despite Big V and Ingram playing, along with nursing a double-digit first-half lead, the Celtics still covered on MLK Day as Boston won 104-92. As noted, Boston has been able to beat up on teams in this spot so far this season.
The Celtics’ issues this season have come with scoring the ball, as seen by F Jayson Tatum‘s 5-for-17 performance against the Hawks in his last outing. He’ll improve to his mean against a Pelicans team allowing 110 points per game.
With that in mind, I’ll take the Boston to cover as it did earlier in the season.
Over/Under
PASS on the total with a slight lean to the Under 213.5. Both of these teams are inconsistent offensively, one reason the Pelicans are just 20-27-1 O/U and the Celtics are 21-28-1.
That bodes well to the Under, but at the same time, the sporadic nature also could see Boston hit well into the 120s, which is why I’d prefer to just play the Celtics spread in this position.
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