The Boston Celtics (30-14) head down to the Big Easy to play the New Orleans Pelicans (17-29) in the Smoothie King Center at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday. We analyze Celtics-Pelicans odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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Celtics at Pelicans: Key injuries
CELTICS
- PG Marcus Smart (hand) probable
- SG Jaylen Brown (ankle) questionable
- SG Jayson Tatum (groin) questionable
- C Enes Kanter (hip) out
- C Robert Williams III (hip) out
PELICANS
- PG Jrue Holiday (knee) probable
- SG Kenrich Williams (back) out
- SF Darius Miller (Achilles) out
Celtics at Pelicans: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Pelicans 118, Celtics 114
Moneyline (ML)
The Pelicans have suffered from inaccurate pricing because of Zion Williamson‘s debut with New Orleans losing both of his games outright and against the spread. And Boston has played really well of late, winning straight up and covering in its previous three games. But New Orleans is finally getting points and is the far healthier team: Zion has arrived and Boston has Brown, Tatum and Smart dinged up — whether they play is still up in the air but them being 100% is out of the question. This should allow Brandon Ingram and Zion to drive to the basket and space the court for JJ Redick (.465 3-point %) and E’Twaun Moore (.394 3-point %) to get some good looks.
BET PELICANS (pick ’em) to win outright. New to sports betting? Bet $75 to earn a $75 profit if the Pelicans win.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Truth be told you can find team-friendly trends for either team in this game but the Pelicans’ stuff pops out more. New Orleans is 9-1-1 against the spread in its last 11 games as an underdog and it generally steps up when rested two or more days: the Pelicans are 6-2 ATS in those spots. Also, the Pelicans are 8-4 ATS at home against above-.500 teams. More about that, New Orleans has played the toughest schedule in the NBA thus far while the Celtics have played the 28th-ranked schedule.
TAKE PELICANS +2.5 (-125) as insurance for our moneyline bet above. New to sports betting? Bet $125 on Pelicans to win outright or to lose by no more than 2 points to earn $100.
Over/Under (O/U)
I lean toward the Over 230.5 (-115) because the Over is 12-2 in Pelicans’ last 14 overall and the combined over/under record of the two teams is 46-44. But ultimately I will PASS THE TOTAL since the Under is 4-1 in Celtics’ last five games as a road favorite and they are allowing just 99 points per game on Sundays.
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