Celtics vs. Pelicans: Predictions, Odds, and Key Players for Friday’s NBA Showdown

NEW ORLEANS, La. — The Boston Celtics will face the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday at the Smoothie King Center in a highly anticipated NBA matchup. The game, set to tip off at 8 p.m. ET, comes as the Pelicans look to snap a four-game losing streak, while the Celtics aim to build on their recent dominant performance.

The Pelicans, currently 12-36 overall and 8-17 at home, are reeling from a narrow 137-136 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 29. Key players Zion Williamson (illness) and Brandon Ingram (ankle) remain sidelined, further complicating their efforts. Meanwhile, the Celtics, boasting a 33-15 record and a strong 17-6 road performance, are riding high after a commanding 122-100 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

Boston’s Jayson Tatum continues to shine, averaging 26.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. In their last outing, Tatum delivered a career-high eight three-pointers, contributing 34 points and 11 rebounds. Jaylen Brown also played a pivotal role, scoring 28 points, six assists, and six rebounds.

On the Pelicans’ side, Trey Murphy III has emerged as a bright spot, averaging 21.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Despite the team’s struggles, Murphy’s 32-point performance against the Mavericks showcased his potential.

According to the SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every NBA game 10,000 times, the Celtics are favored by 11 points, with an over/under set at 231.5 points. The model, which has returned over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated picks over the past six seasons, is leaning toward the Under on the point total and suggests one side of the spread hits more than 60% of the time.

As both teams prepare for Friday’s clash, the Celtics’ momentum and the Pelicans’ desperation set the stage for a compelling NBA showdown.