Boston Celtics vs New Orleans Pelicans Picks and Predictions January 12th 2025

Celtics Look to Bounce Back vs. Pelicans

The Boston Celtics aim to avoid consecutive home losses when they welcome the New Orleans Pelicans to TD Garden on Sunday. The game provides Boston an opportunity to right the ship after a lackluster performance against the Sacramento Kings on Friday.

Celtics Searching for Consistency

Boston, now 13-7 at home, has been in a rut, splitting its last 12 games (6-6). The team is coming off a 114-97 defeat to Sacramento, where offensive inefficiency and turnovers plagued their performance.

The Celtics struggled mightily in the second half, scoring just 42 points and falling apart in the fourth quarter, where they were outscored 38-21. Jayson Tatum’s eight turnovers were a glaring issue in a game where Boston shot just 26.8 percent from beyond the arc.

“When you’re having an inefficient offense, it puts pressure on your defense,” coach Joe Mazzulla said. “If you’re going to shoot that poorly from 3, you’re going to have to do a bunch of other things really well, and it puts pressure on your defense throughout the game.”

Kristaps Porzingis, who has been working to find his rhythm since recovering from injuries earlier in the season, expressed confidence in the team’s ability to rebound:
“We’ll bounce back. We’re just having not the prettiest moment right now, but we’ll figure it out.”

The Celtics rank fourth in the league in scoring at 118.5 points per game but need better ball movement and shot selection to avoid extended offensive lulls.

Pelicans Look to Build on Momentum

The New Orleans Pelicans, sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, will arrive in Boston with renewed confidence after a gritty 123-115 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. The Pelicans are 3-15 in road games but have won three of their last five overall, including snapping an 11-game losing streak earlier this month.

Despite missing Zion Williamson (suspension) and Herb Jones (posterior labrum tear), New Orleans found success through ball movement and defensive intensity. Coach Willie Green lauded his team’s effort:
“Dealing with a lot the last couple days, they pulled together and competed for 48 minutes. I’m really proud of this group. Good win on the road for us.”

Williamson, who is averaging 22.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, is expected to return against Boston after serving a one-game suspension for reportedly arriving late for a team flight. However, the Pelicans announced that Jones, one of their best defensive players, will be out indefinitely.

New Orleans’ struggles on the road have been evident, but their recent victory against Philadelphia showcased resilience and grit that they will need to replicate against a tough Boston team.

Key Matchups

Jayson Tatum vs. New Orleans Defense

Tatum’s ability to bounce back from an error-filled game against Sacramento will be crucial for the Celtics. With Jones out, the Pelicans will need other defensive pieces to step up to contain Boston’s leading scorer.

Zion Williamson vs. Boston’s Interior Defense

Williamson’s physicality in the paint can disrupt Boston’s defense. His ability to draw fouls and create mismatches will test the Celtics’ ability to defend without getting into foul trouble.

Bench Contributions

Boston’s bench production has been inconsistent, while New Orleans showed depth in their win against Philadelphia. Players like Al Horford for Boston and Trey Murphy III for New Orleans could swing the momentum with timely scoring.

Explore Betting Insights and Predictions for Victor Wembanyama’s NBA Impact

Outlook

The Celtics have the edge with their home-court advantage and a more complete roster, but New Orleans has shown they can compete even while short-handed. Boston must find consistency on offense, while New Orleans will look to limit turnovers and capitalize on second-chance opportunities.

With Zion Williamson back in the lineup, the Pelicans will aim to steal a road win against a top Eastern Conference team. However, if Boston can execute offensively and control the pace, they should come away with a much-needed victory.