Free NBA Pick: Celtics vs. Pelicans NBA Odds
Looking for Boston Celtics vs. New Orleans Pelicans free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Celtics taking on the Pelicans on Saturday, January 29th, 2022 at Smoothie King Center. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Celtics- Pelicans matchup.
2022 NBA Handicapping
(25-25) Boston Celtics vs. New Orleans Pelicans (18-30)
Date: Saturday, January 29th
Time: 6:00 PM EST
Venue: Smoothie King Center
NBA Moneyline Odds: Celtics -190 | Pelicans +178 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Celtics -4.5
NBA Betting Total: 214.5
Saturday, January 29th, finds the Sacramento Kings facing the Philadelphia 76ers for the second and final time this season. Boston won the initial meeting on November 5th with a score of 104-92
Both teams are playing the second game of a back-to-back set with the Celtics getting thumped 92-108 by the Hawks while the Pelicans also fell (105-116) to the Nuggets.
Last season, the squads played twice with the Pelicans winning both contests. The clubs each have won on 21 occasions in the 42 games played all-time.
Boston Celtics
In the preview leading up to the Celtics game versus the Hawks, I warned of not being convinced they were reliably consistent.
As I’d noted Boston has made a habit of looking like a contender for a few games but then follows that up with efforts where they don’t measure up on either end of the hardwood.
Friday, that point got driven home as the Hawks pounced on Boston and held a 12-point lead by the end of the first frame.
What I find interesting is how avoiding that specific thing occurring was discussed prior to the game and the player leading that conversation was Jayson Tatum.
Al Horford on the Celtics vibe at shootaround this morning before the team kicks off a back-to-back at Hawks & Pelicans: "It was good. JT (Jayson Tatum) was very vocal about (being locked in) at shootaround today. We need to come out ready to play tonight. It's a big challenge."
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) January 28, 2022
Despite this warning, the Hawks were the team to jump on Boston and the man who shared Tatum’s missive played all of 16 minutes scoring a single point.
Boston did make a run to cut the deficit but then fell back in love with iso ball. Atlanta scored 24 points off 18 Celtics turnovers with the majority of those coming from Tatum (5) and Jaylen Brown (7).
Some will suggest the Hawks have simply awoken from their slumber to resemble the team who finished last season however Boston fed into Atlanta’s efforts via those turnovers and tendency to revert to iso ball under pressure.
The point is even when the star and veteran leader of this team know what needs to happen it doesn’t ensure it occurs, And that begs the question of what the true identity of this Celtics team is.
Also worth noting – Bogdon Bogdanovic (19) outscored the entire Celtics bench (17) who were pummeled 46 to 17 overall.
The Celtics are essentially healthy other than the recent trade additions of PJ Dozier (knee) and Bol Bol (foot) who are both out indefinitely following surgeries.
New Orleans Pelicans
Although the final score was similar for the Pelicans their game was a stark contrast to the Celtics in terms of semantics. Most significant is the fact many of their core contributors are sidelined.
Still, the young squad pushed the Nuggets early forcing the MVP to take over in the second half. The Nuggets youngsters did their best but didn’t have the weapons to stave off Denver or Jokic.
Playing without Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valanciunas, and of course Zion Williamson the Pels had six players score in double-figures. Rookie Herb Jones (19) led the way while Willy Hernangomez served up a double-double of 18 points and 16 rebounds.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (18), Josh Hart (16), Devonte Graham (15), and Jaxson Hayes (13) were the other double-digit contributors.
Ingram (ankle), Valanciunas (quarantine), and Trey Murphy III (quarantine) all missed Friday’s match and are likely out again Saturday plus Graham could join them after injuring his leg in the match.
Kira Lewis Jr. (ACL) is lost for the season while Zion Williamson (foot) remains away from the team rehabbing his foot with no definitive return date.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The teams are 5-5 in the last 10 head to head matches
- The teams are 5-5 ATS in their last 10 meetings.
- Over Under is 5-5 in the teams last 10 head to head matchups
Free Boston Celtics vs. New Orleans Pelicans NBA Analysis:
Given the injury situation, it favors Boston who also typically bounce back from embarrassing efforts with a complete 180 in their next match. They can’t afford to underestimate the Pels youngsters, however, because Jones, NAW, and co would be more than happy to make them pay if they do.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Celtics ATS
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