Celtics vs Pelicans predictions 1/26/20 NBA Picks & Betting Tips

Game: Boston Celtics vs New Orleans Pelicans

Date: Sunday, January 26, 2020

Location: Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Boston -2.5

Total/Over-Under: 230

Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics (30-14, 2nd in the Atlantic Division) travel to Smoothie King Center on Sunday where they'll meet the New Orleans Pelicans (17-29, 5th in the Southwest Division). Boston opens this game as 2.5 point favorites. The over/under has been set at 230.

The Celtics cover 61.9% of the time, having gone 26-16-2 ATS. New Orleans is covering the spread 50.0% of the time, going 22-22-2 against the spread.

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

01/24/20 SG Jaylen Brown Ankle is questionable Sunday vs New Orleans
01/24/20 SF Jayson Tatum Groin is questionable Sunday vs New Orleans
01/23/20 C Enes Kanter Foot is OUT Sunday vs New Orleans

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Kemba Walker averages 22.1 points per game in 31.8 minutes per contest. He averages 5.0 assists per contest and 3.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 87%. Jayson Tatum comes into this contest averaging 21.5 points per game while playing 34.0 minutes per night. He pulls down 6.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is at 84%.

Player Spotlight

Brandon Ingram averages 25.2 points per game and he sees the court an average of 34.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.5 rebounds per contest and 4.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 85%. Lonzo Ball averages 12.0 points per game while playing 31.2 minutes per contest. He grabs 5.8 rebounds per game and has 6.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 39% and his free throw percentage is at 54%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Celtics allow 105.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 3rd in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 7th and 11th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.0 rebounds a game which ranks 9th, and they give up 23.0 assists per contest which puts them in 6th place in the league. They force 15.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 23rd in the league. Boston averages 112.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 7.2 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 15th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 14th in the league. They average 45.6 rebounds per game and 23.6 assists per contest, which ranks them 15th and 19th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 24th with 13.6 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pelicans surrender 117.6 points per contest, which ranks them 29th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 22nd and 22nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 17th with 24.5 assists allowed per contest, and 21st with 46.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pelicans are 14th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.5 per game. New Orleans is 6th in the league with 114.3 points per game this year. They are 19th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -3.3. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 6th in the NBA. They are 12th in the league in rebounding with 45.7 boards per game and 10th in assists per contest with 25.5. The Pelicans are 5th in turnovers per game with 15.6.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 5th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112.8, and their defensive rating of 105.6 is ranked 4th. In terms of pace they are 17th in the league with 99.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 13th. As a team they are 13th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 14th in the league. Boston is 24th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 23rd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 10th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 10th in the NBA. The Pelicans are 18th in the league in defensive rating with 112.9, and their offensive rating of 109.8 is ranked 24th. They are 5th in the NBA in pace with 103 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 11th. As a unit they are 17th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shot attempts, ranking 5th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Celtics/Pelicans NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Boston -2.5

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