New Orleans Pelicans vs Boston Celtics Prediction and Betting Tips | Jan.12, 2025

The New Orleans Pelicans are on the road to face the reigning champions, the Boston Celtics, on Sunday. This will be their first meeting of the season, with both teams eager for a win due to recent struggles. They will meet again on Jan. 31 in Louisiana and hope to get the upper hand at TD Garden on Sunday.

New Orleans Pelicans vs Boston Celtics game details and odds

The game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Boston Celtics is scheduled for tip-off at 6 p.m. ET. This matchup will be played at TD Garden and broadcast live on the NBCS-Boston Network and the Gulf Coast Sports channel.

Fans can also livestream the contest on FuboTV or the NBA League Pass.

Moneyline: New Orleans (+750) vs. Celtics (-1400)

Spread: New Orleans (+14.5) vs. Celtics (-14.5)

Total (o/u): -115 (o225.5)/ -105 (u225.5)

Note: The odds can change before tip-off.

New Orleans Pelicans vs Boston Celtics Preview

The nonconference play between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Boston Celtics will be an interesting affair as both enter the contest with a similar record in their last five games. Both teams have won three of their previous five outings and will hope to add to that tally on Sunday.

The Pelicans are currently at the bottom of the Western Conference and have an abysmal record of eight wins and 31 losses. Despite this poor record, New Orleans enters today's game on the back of a win against the Philadelphia 76ers. CJ McCollum's 38 points led the team to a 123-115 victory in Philly, and the Pels will be optimistic about their chances against the Celtics.

On the other hand, the reigning champions have started to slack in recent weeks after a great start to the season. The Celtics are second in the East, 6.5 games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 27-11 record. Like the Pelicans, Boston enters the matchup with three wins and two losses in five games.

However, unlike the Louisiana franchise, the Celtics will host the Pelicans on the back of a defeat against the Sacramento Kings.

In terms of injuries, Brandon Ingram and Herbert Jones are out against the Celtics for the Pelicans, while Dejounte Murray is marked as questionable. Zion Williamson will return to the lineup after missing his team's last game due to a suspension. The Celtics only have Drew Peterson on their injury list and should have a fit squad against New Orleans.

New Orleans Pelicans vs Boston Celtics Betting Tips

With Brandon Ingram and Dejounte Murray out of the squad and Zion Williamson recently returning from an injury and a suspension, the onus is on CJ McCollum to do all the scoring for the Pelicans. He should register 22.5 plus points in the absence of his fellow starters. McCollum has scored 23 and 38 points in his last two appearances and should have a similar outing against the Celtics.

On the other hand, it would be hard not to view Jayson Tatum as a favorite to drop 20+ points, as he currently averages 27.8 points, the fourth most in the league. Furthermore, the former Duke star has averaged 24.5 points in his last 10 games and should achieve similar numbers against his opponents on Sunday.

New Orleans Pelicans vs Boston Celtics Prediction

Despite entering the contest on the back of a 17-point defeat to the Sacramento Kings, the Boston Celtics will consider themselves a huge favorite. Facing a team that's dead last in its conference, the reigning champions should get the win with ease, especially when considering the multiple injuries sustained by the Pelicans.