Three Pels-Celtics questions with Lonzo Wire’s Jacob Rude

The Boston Celtics face a resurgent Pelicans in the midst of a three-game losing streak; we spoke with Lonzo Wire’s Jacob Rude to get the goods on New Orleans ahead of the home meeting.

The 25-11 Boston Celtics look to end their recent three-game losing streak against the 14-25 New Orleans Pelicans Saturday, Jan. 11 at TD Garden, while the visiting Pels look to extend their winning streak as many games.

Celtics Wire linked up with Jacob Rude of our sister site Lonzo Wire to talk about the Saturday matchup, and what each team needs to do to come away with the win.

With New Orleans having won seven of their last 10 games ahead of highly-anticipated rookie Zion Williamson’s return, the Pels are a more dangerous team than their next-to-last spot in the West suggests.

But just how dangerous are they?

Let’s turn to Jacob to find out just what Boston will be up against, from the big picture of their season arc all the way down to the details our Celtics-centric focus might otherwise miss.

Can you give me a summary of the Pels’ season so far?

It’s been a weird one for the Pelicans. After high expectations coming into the year, Zion Williamson’s injury was an omen to how much of the first half of the season went. The low point came right after a 13-game losing streak when, in Golden State, they blew a late lead in the final 90 seconds for their 14th loss in the final 15 games.

Since then, though, things have changed, largely due to the return of Derrick Favors and the strong play of Lonzo Ball. The two have greatly impacted the defensive and offensive ends of the floor, respectively, and New Orleans has won six of the last eight games with the only losses coming to the Lakers and Jazz.

The team is deep, plays fast and is flexible. They’re playing their best basketball of the season and Williamson is due back soon. Everything is currently looking up in New Orleans.

How do the Pels win Saturday’s matchup? How does Boston win?

Having not followed the Celtics much this season, I can only speak on what typically makes or breaks the Pelicans. New Orleans is prone to one bad quarter a night or, at the very least, a lull over a long stretch. Early in the season it was the second quarter but more recently it’s been the first quarter. If the Celtics start out strong, the Pelicans can often be vulnerable and fall behind early.

However, for as bad as they play in first halves, they often play much better in the second half and typically claw their way back into the game. They’ve fought back from big second-half deficits multiple times this year.

So, while it sounds easy in theory, a consistent effort for four quarters is often enough for an inconsistent Pelicans team.

Is there anything else should we know?

Brandon Ingram may be the current frontrunner for Most Improved Player of the year. He’s averaging 25.2 points per game and shooting 48.0% from the field. But the biggest change for him is that he’s hitting 40.4% from three on a 5.8 attempts per game, a huge jump from the 1.8 attempts per game he took last season. He’s been the Pelicans best offensive player this season.

Boston will continue to be without centers Robert Williams III (hip) and Vincent Poirier (finger) while rookie wing Romeo Langford is doubtful with illness, while the Pelicans still have a number of players working their way back to health.

Williamson (knee) is still awaiting his season debut, which will not come against the Celtics, and Darius Miller (Achilles) is also out vs. Boston.

Derrick Favors (hamstring), Jrue Holiday (elbow) and Kenrich Williams (back) are all game-time decisions.

The Celtics should come away with the win with the clear talent and health advantage, having had the prior night off as well. This is reflected by the average -8.5 spread offered by most online sportsbooks.

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