The Boston Celtics (12-3) visit Smoothie King Center Friday to take on the New Orleans Pelicans (9-6). Tip is set for 8:30 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Celtics vs. Pelicans odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Celtics enter Friday with the best record in the NBA. They are 8-7 against the spread (ATS) and have covered 4 of their last 5 games which includes a 126-101 victory at the Atlanta Hawks as 1-point favorites Wednesday in their last outing.
Boston is led by F Jayson Tatum, who is playing at an MVP level. Tatum is averaging 31.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. G/F Jaylen Brown also averages 25.1 per game for the Celtics.
New Orleans is coming off a 124-110 win over the Chicago Bulls as 2-point home favorites Wednesday. They are 8-7 ATS overall and 5-2 straight up at home.
New Orleans is led by a 3-headed trio in which G CJ McCollum, F Brandon Ingram, and F Zion Williamson all average 19 or more points per game but none top 24 per game. Williamson leads the way 23.5 per game.
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Celtics at Pelicans odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Celtics -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Pelicans +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
- Against the spread: Celtics -2.5 (-115) | Pelicans +2.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 229.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Celtics at Pelicans key injuries
Celtics
- G Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring) probable
- G Marcus Smart (ankle) questionable
Pelicans
- F Zion Williamson (foot) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Celtics at Pelicans picks and predictions
Prediction
Pelicans 115, Celtics 113
Moneyline
BET PELICANS (+120).
I suggest anyone playing this line wait until the status of Williamson is known. Without Williamson, I would pass on the Pelicans.
However, If he plays, they should be a strong play. The Pelicans crash the glass at the 7th-highest rate in the NBA, rank 9th in turnover rate and sit 12th in effective field goal percentage.
The Celtics don’t turn the ball over and shoot efficiently as well, but the key should be how they defend Tatum. F Herb Jones and Ingram have massive wingspans and should be able to do a better job than most others.
Playing at home, consistently proving to be solid on the glass and having quality, lengthy defenders, back PELICANS (+120) here if Williamson is active.
Against the spread
PASS.
I would rather take New Orleans to win outright at plus money. It has had 1 loss of under 3 points this season which justifies backing the moneyline over the spread.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 229.5 (-110).
The Pelicans have the defenders to make life difficult for the Celtics. Similarly, neither team plays at a high pace and that will undoubtedly impact the total. The Pelicans rank 18th in pace with the Celtics 17th.
The Celtics are 9-5-1 O/U and the Pelicans are 9-6 O/U which should suggest regression is primed, and considering Smart could be back as well, back the UNDER 229.5 (-110).
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