The NBA’s top shooting defense will be 6.5-point favorites at home in TD Garden, when the Boston Celtics (15-10) meet the New Orleans Pelicans (14-14). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 230.5 points and it will air on NBATV at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, December 10, 2018.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Boston Celtics Betting Odds
Both teams covered in their last game. The Celtics (7.5-point favorites) defeated the Chicago Bulls 133-77, while the Pelicans (5-point underdog) beat the Detroit Pistons 116-108. The Boston game finished 4 points under the projected point total of 214, while the New Orleans game went 10 points over the projected point total of 214.
The Pelicans made 20 of their 23 free throws (87.0 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.608 (above their season average of 0.536). Boston, meanwhile, played a flawless game. They had an absurdly low turnover percentage of 6.6 (better than their season average of 11.6) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 31.0 (above their season average of 22.0). For those same stats, Chicago was 14.7 and 16.3, respectively. Daniel Theis had a good game for Boston, recording 22 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. New Orleans received a boost from Jrue Holiday, who put up 37 points, five rebounds and five assists.
In their first matchup this year, Kyrie Irving led the Celtics to a 124-107 win. He recorded a double-double with 26 points and 10 assists. The two teams combined for 231 points, which was just over the projected point total of 228.5, and Boston covered as a 2-point underdog. The Celtics’ turnover percentage was their biggest strength over the Pelicans. Boston had a rate of 11.4, while New Orleans posted a mark of 19.7.
Matchups featuring the Pelicans tend to go over the O/U total (55.6 percent). New Orleans heads into the contest with records of 14-14 straight up (SU) and 12-15 against the spread (ATS).
Games including the Celtics also tend to finish over the projected point total (56.0 percent). Further, Boston is 15-10 SU and 12-13 ATS.
Julius Randle has really been playing well as of late for New Orleans, averaging 22 points,11.6 rebounds over the last five games.
Boston should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. Boston ranks third in the league at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.6 percent), while New Orleans forces the fifth-fewest turnovers (12.4 percent). Moreover, the Pelicans’ fourth-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 111.5) will face off against the Celtics’ second-ranked defense (defensive efficiency of 100.4).
New Orleans Pelicans at Boston Celtics Odds Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Celtics rank 1 in points off turnovers allowed per game (13.72) while the Pelicans rank 16 (17.142857142857142).
- New Orleans ranks first in points in the paint per game (58.0) while Boston ranks 28th (41.4).
- The Pelicans rank first in second chance points per game (16.4) while the Celtics rank 23rd (12.4).
- Boston ranks third in three pointers attempted per game (36.4) while New Orleans ranks 24th (28.9).
- Boston ranks 2 in blocks allowed per game (3.76) while New Orleans ranks 17 (5.142857142857143).
- The Celtics rank second in steals allowed per game (6.7) while the Pelicans rank 26th (8.9).
- The Celtics rank 4 in fast break points allowed per game (10.8) while the Pelicans rank 20 (14.214285714285714).
- New Orleans ranks 4 in rebounds per game (47.714285714285715) while Boston ranks 17 in rebounds allowed per game (45.4).
- Boston ranks second in assists allowed per game (21.4) while New Orleans ranks 25th (25.5).
- In games where they allow less than 100 points, New Orleans is 2-0 and Boston is 7-2.
- The Pelicans are 14-13 when they reach 100 points, while the Celtics are 15-7.
- Boston is 6-4 ATS at home, while New Orleans is 5-8 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 7 of the Pelicans’ 13 road games, while 6 of the Celtics’ 10 home games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- The Celtics are 5-0 ATS over their last five games, while the Pelicans are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Boston has 4 overs and 1 under, while New Orleans has 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Celtics\u2019 average margin of victory in their last five games has been 28.6, up from 7.4 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Pelicans have scored an average of 119.2 points per game (1.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 111.8 points per game (3.8 below their season average).
