Third quarter report
The Celtics already have more points against the Pelicans than they had total against the Kings last Friday. After three quarters, neither team has the contest in the bag, but the Celtics lead 105-102 over the Pelicans.
If the Celtics keep playing like this, they will increase their record to 28-11 in no time. On the other hand, the Pelicans will have to settle for an 8-32 record unless things change (and quickly).
Who is playing
New Orleans Pelicans @ Boston Celtics
Current records: New Orleans 8-31, Boston 27-11
How to watch
- When: Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 6 pm Eastern Time
- Where: TD Garden – Boston, Massachusetts
- TV: Gulf Coast Sports
- Continue: CBS Sports App
- Online streaming: fuboTV (Try it for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Ticket cost: $76.00
What to know
Pelicans fans are hoping the team plays a big game on Sunday as the odds are decidedly against them. They will challenge the Boston Celtics at 6:00 pm ET at TD Garden. The Pelicans will strut their stuff after a win, while the Celtics will bounce back from a loss.
Last Friday, the Pelicans posted a solid victory over the 76ers, taking the game 123-115.
Among those leading the charge was CJ McCollum, who was 6 of 11 from beyond the arc en route to 38 points.
The Pelicans worked as a unit and finished the game with 31 assists. They easily outscored their opponents in that department, as the 76ers only recorded 23.
The Celtics came into Friday’s matchup with a big margin lead, but given the result that lead could have gone to their heads. The game between them and the Kings wasn’t a total blowout, but with the Celtics falling 114-97 at home it came very close to becoming one.
Despite the loss, the Celtics got strong performances from Jaylen Brown, who scored 28 points along with five assists, and Kristaps Porzingis, who went 4-for-7 from downtown and had a double-double with 22 points and ten rebounds. What’s more, Porzingis also racked up four 3-pointers, the most he’s had since March 2024. Less useful to the Celtics was Derrick White’s dismal 0-6 three-point shooting.
New Orleans’ victory raised its record to 8-31. As for Boston, its loss dropped its record to 27-11.
The Pelicans fell short against the Celtics in their previous meeting in March 2024, falling 104-92. Can the Pelicans avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We will know soon.
Odd
Boston is a heavy 14.5-point favorite against New Orleans, according to the latest report. NBA Odds.
Bettors had a good idea of the line for this one, as the game began with the Celtics as 14-point favorites.
The over/under is 226 points.
See NBA selections for every game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get Picks Now.
History of the series
Boston has won 7 of its last 10 games against New Orleans.
- March 30, 2024: Boston 104 vs. New Orleans 92
- January 29, 2024: Boston 118 vs. New Orleans 112
- January 11, 2023: Boston 125 vs. New Orleans 114
- November 18, 2022: Boston 117 vs. New Orleans 109
- January 29, 2022: Boston 107 vs. New Orleans 97
- January 17, 2022: Boston 104 vs. New Orleans 92
- March 29, 2021: New Orleans 115 vs. Boston 109
- February 21, 2021: New Orleans 120 vs. Boston 115
- January 26, 2020: New Orleans 123 vs. Boston 108
- January 11, 2020: Boston 140 vs. New Orleans 105
