Post by Admin on Jan 11, 2023 16:28:30 GMT -5
The Pelicans
New Orleans Pelicans (25-16) at Boston Celtics (29-12) Game #42
The Celtics look to win their 4th straight game as they host the New Orleans Pelicans.
By flceltsfan (1/11/23)
This is the first of back to back games for the Celtics. They will travel to Brooklyn for the second game on Thursday. The Celtics are 5-1 so far on the first night of back to back games. They are 3-0 when the first game is in Boston. The Celtics are 22-21 overall all time against the Pelicans and they are 13-8 in games played in Boston.
The Celtics are first in the East. They are 1.5 games ahead of 2nd place Brooklyn, 2.5 games ahead of 3rd place Milwaukee, and 3 games ahead of 4th place Cleveland. They are 16-5 at home and 7-3 in their last 10 games. They have won their last 3 games. They are 13-4 against Western Conference opponents.
The Pelicans are in 3rd place in the West. They are 2.5 games behind first place Denver and second place Memphis and they are 2 games ahead of 4th place Dallas. They are 8-11 on the road and 6-4 in their last 10 games. They won their last game but have lost 4 of their last 6 games. They are 9-6 against Eastern Conference opponents.
Robert Williams is listed as questionable on the injury list for the Celtics. Since the Celtics are playing in back to back games, he will likely sit out one of the two. His status for this game is a game time decision. Marcus Smart missed Monday’s game with a knee contusion and is questionable for this game.
The Celtics are first in the East. They are 1.5 games ahead of 2nd place Brooklyn, 2.5 games ahead of 3rd place Milwaukee, and 3 games ahead of 4th place Cleveland. They are 16-5 at home and 7-3 in their last 10 games. They have won their last 3 games. They are 13-4 against Western Conference opponents.
The Pelicans are in 3rd place in the West. They are 2.5 games behind first place Denver and second place Memphis and they are 2 games ahead of 4th place Dallas. They are 8-11 on the road and 6-4 in their last 10 games. They won their last game but have lost 4 of their last 6 games. They are 9-6 against Eastern Conference opponents.
Robert Williams is listed as questionable on the injury list for the Celtics. Since the Celtics are playing in back to back games, he will likely sit out one of the two. His status for this game is a game time decision. Marcus Smart missed Monday’s game with a knee contusion and is questionable for this game.
For the Pelicans, Brandon Ingram is out with a toe injury. He has been out since November 25 and was expected to return at some time on this trip. He did not practice on Tuesday and will miss this game. Herbert Jones left Monday’s game with a back contusion and is listed as doubtful for this game. Zion Williamson is out with a hamstring injury.
Key Matchups
Marcus Smart vs CJ McCollum
Marcus Smart vs CJ McCollum
McCollum is averaging 20.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. He is shooting 42.8% from the field and 40.2% from beyond the arc. Smart is questionable for this game and if he can’t play, Derrick White will likely get the start at the point in his place.
Al Horford vs Jonas Valanciunas
Al Horford vs Jonas Valanciunas
Valanciunas is averaging 14.1 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists. He is shooting 52.4% from the field and 34.2% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need to keep him out of the paint and off the boards but they also need to stay with him on the perimeter since he is a good 3 point shooter. If Robert Williams plays he may start once at center and move Horford to power forward.
Honorable Mention
Grant Williams vs Larry Nance, Jr.
Nance is averaging 8.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.0 steals. He is shooting 62.1% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc. In the first game between these two teams, Nance finished with 16 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals and 2 block. He always seems to have a big game against the Celtics. The Celtics need a big game from Grant off the bench also.
Pelican Brief clip
