Offense meets defense when the New Orleans Pelicans (10-10) welcome the Boston Celtics (10-10) to Smoothie King Center. The game gets underway at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, November 26, 2018.
Boston Celtics at New Orleans Pelicans ATS Prediction
The Celtics are hoping for a better outcome after not being able to cover as 2.5-point favorites in their 113-104 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in their last game. The game’s total points (217) were over the O/U total of 213. Dallas’ offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over Boston. The Mavericks had a rate of 28.3 (above their season average of 22.6), while the Celtics posted a mark of 23.1. Jayson Tatum was the top scorer from either team with 21 points on 9-for-14 shooting.
The last time the Pelicans played, they fell to the Washington Wizards, 124-114. They failed to cover as 3.5-point underdogs. The combined points for the game (238) were just over the O/U total of 237.5. Washington’s effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over New Orleans. The Wizards had a rate of 0.622 (above their season average of 0.507), while the Pelicans posted a mark of 0.539. With 29 points on 10-for-16 shooting, Julius Randle led New Orleans in scoring.
After the Pelicans won both contests against the Celtics last season, these teams will clash for the first time this year. In the last contest, New Orleans won 108-89. The Pelicans knocked down 20 of their 25 free throws (80.0 percent) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.537 vs. 0.454).
Boston holds records of 10-10 straight up (SU) and 7-13 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is highly accurate when predicting totals of Celtics games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Meanwhile, New Orleans is 10-10 SU and 9-11 ATS. Of the Pelicans’ 20 games, 12 have finished over the total.
Randle has averaged 19 points,11.0 rebounds,4.0 assists over the last five games for New Orleans.
The game should be a showdown of strength against strength as the prolific offense of New Orleans takes on the stingy defense of Boston. The Pelicans rank fourth in offensive efficiency, while the Celtics are first in defensive efficiency.
Boston Celtics vs. New Orleans Pelicans Pick
Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Pelicans, ATS Winner – Pelicans, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Boston is 3-9 ATS on the road with 6 overs and 6 unders.
New Orleans is 5-4 ATS at home with 5 overs, 3 unders and 1 push.
In contests where they hold opponents under 100 points, New Orleans is 2-0 and Boston is 5-2.
The Pelicans are 10-9 when they score over 100 points, while the Celtics are 10-7.
New Orleans ranks first in points in the paint per game (59.3) while Boston ranks last (40.0).
The Pelicans rank second in second chance points per game (17.3) while the Celtics rank 24th (11.9).
Boston ranks third in three pointers attempted per game (35.8) while New Orleans ranks 23rd (27.9).
The Pelicans average 48.3 rebounds per game, which ranks fourth in the NBA. The Celtics rank 24th in rebounds allowed per game (46.8).
Boston ranks second in blocks allowed per game (4.0) while New Orleans ranks 21st (5.5).
The Celtics rank 5 in assists allowed per game (22) while the Pelicans rank 24 (25).
Boston averages 8.1 steals per game, which ranks 10 in the NBA. New Orleans ranks 24 in steals allowed per game (8.75).
The Celtics average 15.2 fast break points per game, which ranks 9 in the league. The Pelicans rank 23 in fast break points allowed per game (15.85).
Boston ranks 1 in points off turnovers allowed per game (13.75) while New Orleans ranks 8 (15.7).
Bettings Trends:
Over its last five contests, Boston is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
New Orleans is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over its last five games.
The Celtics have been outscored by an average of 3.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Boston has defeated opponents by an average of 2.1 points.
During their last five games, the Pelicans have scored an average of 121.6 points per game (2.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 120.0 points per game (2.8 above their season average).
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