The New Orleans Pelicans(8-31) and Boston Celtics (27-11) meet Sunday at TD Garden. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Pelicans vs. Celticsodds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Celtics swept 2-0 last season
New Orleans beat the Philadelphia 76ers 123-115 as a 7.5-point road underdog Friday while the Over (220) hit. G CJ McCollum led the charge with 38 points, including 6-for-11 shooting from three. G Dejounte Murray recorded his fifth double-double of the season, finishing with 17 points and 10 rebounds for New Orleans, which won for just the third time in its last 16 games.
The Celtics lost 114-97 as 11.5-point favorites to the visiting Sacramento Kings Friday. Boston committed 15 turnovers and hit just 11 of 41 (26.8%) attempts from the three-point line. F Jayson Tatum had an off night, finishing with just 15 points, tying his season low.
Pelicans at Celtics odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NBA odds. Lines last updated at 11:45 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pelicans +725 (bet $100 to win $725) | Celtics -1200 (bet $1,200 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Pelicans +15.5 (-115) | Celtics -15.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 229.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Pelicans at Celtics key injuries
Pelicans
- F Brandon Ingram (ankle) out
- F Herbert Jones (shoulder) out
- G Dejounte Murray (elbow) questionable
Celtics
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Pelicans at Celtics picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 118, Pelicans 108
Moneyline
PASS.
I see a bounce-back win for the Celtics (-1200), but it won’t be a cake walk. I am looking to take my wager to the spread with the Pelicans.
Against the spread
BET PELICANS +15.5 (-115).
The Pelicans have had a rough season, largely due to injuries, but they’re starting to turn a corner. They’ve won 3 of their last 5 games and covered the spread in 2 of their last 3 on the road.
On the other side, the Celtics have dominated this head-to-head series, winning 6 straight meetings. However, Boston has struggled as a big favorite recently, going just 10-14 ATS in its last 24 games laying double digits. It has also failed to cover 2 of its last 3 home games.
Expect Boston to control this one from start to finish, but it’s unlikely to turn into a blowout. The Pelicans should hang around just enough to keep the margin respectable.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 229.5 (-110).
The trends all point to the Under. Six of the last 7 meetings have gone Under, including 3 of the last 4 in Boston.
The Celtics have stayed under the total in 5 of their last 6 games.
The Pelicans have followed a similar pattern, going Under in 3 of their last 4 games.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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