Pelicans vs Celtics 1/11/2020 NBA Prediction, Pick, Tips

Game: New Orleans Pelicans vs Boston Celtics

Date: Saturday, January 11, 2020

Location: TD Garden in Boston, MA

TV: NBC Sports Boston

Odds/Point Spread: Boston -5.5

Total/Over-Under: 220

Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics (25-11, 1st in the Atlantic Division) play the New Orleans Pelicans (13-25, 5th in the Southwest Division) at TD Garden on Saturday, January 11, 2020. The line on this matchup has Boston as 5.5 point favorites. The O/U is set at 220.

The Pelicans cover 47.2% of the time, having gone 17-19-2 ATS. Boston covers the spread 58.8% of the time, going 20-14-2 against the spread.

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/18/19 PF Zion Williamson Knee is out indefinitely
01/09/20 PG Jrue Holiday Elbow is downgraded to out Friday vs New York
01/09/20 G Kenrich Williams Back is downgraded to out Friday vs New York

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Lonzo Ball comes into this game averaging 12.0 points per contest while playing 29.2 minutes per night this year. He grabs 5.1 rebounds per contest and distributes 5.5 assists per game. His FG percentage is 41% while his free throw percentage is 54%. Brandon Ingram averages 25.3 points per contest in 34.3 minutes per game. He averages 4.1 assists per game and 6.9 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 48% for the season while his free throw percentage is 87%.

Player Spotlight

Jayson Tatum scores 20.8 points per contest while playing 34.2 minutes per game. He hauls in 6.9 rebounds per contest and has 2.8 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 86%. Jaylen Brown averages 20.1 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 33.5 minutes per game. He also brings in 7.0 rebounds per game and has 2.3 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is 77%.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans averages 113.1 points per contest, which is 8th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -3.6 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 21st. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 7th in the NBA. They average 45.7 boards per contest and 25.0 assists per game, which ranks them 15th and 10th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 11th with 15.3 per game. The Pelicans allow 116.7 points per contest, which is 28th in the NBA. They also surrender a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 23rd and 24th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 46.1 rebounds a game which ranks 17th, and they allow 24.4 assists per game which puts them in 20th place in the league. They force 15.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 17th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston is 14th in the NBA with 110.6 points per contest this season. They are 16th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 6.19. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 19th in the league. They are 12th in the NBA in rebounding with 45.8 boards per contest and 21st in assists per game with 23.0. The Celtics are 22nd in turnovers per contest with 14.0. The Celtics give up 104.4 points per game, which ranks them 2nd in the league. Their defense surrenders a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 7th and 10th in those defensive statistics. They rank 7th with 23.0 dimes allowed per game and 9th with 44.4 boards surrendered per contest. The Celtics are 25th in the league in forcing turnovers with 15.8 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans are 19th in the league in defensive rating with 112.5, and their offensive rating of 109.1 is ranked 25th. They are 6th in the NBA in pace with 102.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 14th. As a unit they are 18th 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. New Orleans is 14th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 9th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Boston is 23rd in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 23rd in the league. The Celtics are 9th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111.2, and their defensive rating of 105 is ranked 4th. In terms of pace they are 19th in the league with 99.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 18th. As a team they are 16th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 14th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Boston -5.5

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