Celtics Striving for Consistency, Pelicans Overcoming Injuries in Playoff Push

Boston Celtics vs New Orlenas Pelicans: Game Preview

The Boston Celtics (33-15) will look to continue their momentum after a dominant win against the Chicago Bulls when they visit the New Orleans Pelicans (12-36) on Friday, February 2, at Smoothie King Center. The teams met earlier this month, with Boston edging New Orleans 120-119 in a thrilling contest at TD Garden. As they face off again, let’s break down the key matchups, stats, and betting insights for this intriguing game.

Celtics: Finding Consistency in the Grind

Boston’s season has been marked by stretches of inconsistency, with the Celtics managing to win six of their last 11 games. While they’ve occasionally faltered, notably suffering a surprising home loss to the Houston Rockets on January 27, the Celtics bounced back in style, defeating the Bulls 122-100 in their most recent outing. Kristaps Porzingis has been a major contributor, scoring a season-high 34 points against Chicago, along with 11 rebounds. Jalen Brown also shined with 28 points, six assists, and six rebounds.

Even with their recent ups and downs, the Celtics continue to perform at an elite level on both ends of the floor. They are 5th in the NBA in points per game (117.3), thanks to their ability to space the floor, shooting 36.5% from three and 45.7% from the field. On the defensive side, they are allowing only 108.3 points per game (6th), while limiting opponents to 45.1% shooting. Boston’s adjusted offensive rating (3rd) and adjusted defensive rating (6th), according to DunksandThrees.com, highlight their balanced and efficient approach to the game.

Jayson Tatum remains the focal point of the Celtics’ offense, leading the team with 26.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game, while shooting 45.1% from the field and 35% from three. With their full roster intact, including Porzingis, the Celtics have the depth and firepower to be a title contender this season.

Pelicans: Injuries Plague Their Playoff Push

On the other hand, the New Orleans Pelicans have been severely hindered by injuries, which have derailed their season. Sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference with a 12-36 record, the Pelicans are six games out of the 10th seed and a potential play-in tournament spot. After a four-game win streak, the Pelicans have now dropped four consecutive games, including a 137-136 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in their most recent outing. Despite a stellar individual performance from Trey Murphy III (32 points) and a strong showing by Zion Williamson (29 points, seven assists, and six rebounds), New Orleans’ defense and rebounding struggles were glaring, as they allowed Dallas to make 20 three-pointers and shoot 47% from the field.

When healthy, the Pelicans have one of the most talented rosters in the league, with Williamson leading the way with 23.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists, shooting 52% from the field. However, his injuries have limited his availability, with him playing just 13 games this season. Brandon Ingram, who has missed some time as well, contributes 22.2 points per game when on the floor, while CJ McCollum adds 22 points per game.

Despite the star power, New Orleans has struggled with consistency, especially on defense. They rank 27th in total rebounding percentage and 28th in field goal percentage defense (48.3%). Their perimeter defense has also been lackluster, with the Pelicans sitting at 21st in three-point defense. Without a strong defensive presence in the paint and on the perimeter, New Orleans will need to tighten up if they hope to compete with the Celtics.

Conclusion

One of the key factors in this game will be how well the Pelicans’ offense, led by Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, can attack the Celtics’ elite defense. The Celtics have been particularly stout against the paint, but Williamson’s strength and agility make him a matchup nightmare for any defender. However, if the Pelicans cannot find more consistent shooting from beyond the arc, the Celtics’ defense will have a significant edge.

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