Celtics vs. Pelicans Spread Play 11/18/22

Boston Celtics (12-3 SU, 8-7-0 ATS) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (9-6 SU, 8-7-0 ATS)

When: Friday, November 18th, 8:30 PM (ET)

Where: Smoothie King Center, LA, New Orleans

TV: NBCS

Point Spread: BOS -3.0/ NO +3 (Bet it for FREE using one of our 100% bonuses!)

Total: 227.5

Money Line: Boston Celtics -149/ +124

Notable Injuries

Celtics

• Marcus Smart (Questionable) Ankle
• Danilo Gallinari (Out) Knee
• Malcolm Brogdon (Probable) Hamstring
• Robert Williams III (Out) Knee

Pelicans

• Zion Williamson (Questionable) Ankle
• Kira Lewis Jr. (Out) Knee
• EJ Liddell (Out) Knee

Recent Form

So far, the Celtics have put together an overall record of 12-3 while going 8-7-0 vs. the spread. Boston will be going for their 9 in today’s game as they have rattled off eight straight wins.

Boston is going for yet another win, as they previously defeated the Hawks. With the 126-101 victory, they also covered the spread as 1-point underdogs. Boston put together a strong second half, as they only held a 9-point lead going into halftime. In the win, Jaylen Brown led the team in scoring with 22 points on a field goal percentage of 58.8%.

The Pelicans come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 9-6. So far, the team has gone 8-7-0 against the spread. New Orleans comes into the game having rattled off three straight wins. In these victories, the team has an average scoring margin of 12.67 points per game

The Pelicans will look to keep things rolling, as they previously beat the Bulls by a score of 124-110. Heading into the game, they were 1-point favorites on the spread, giving them an ATS win. New Orleans went on to win the game, as they led by 5 heading into halftime. In the win, CJ McCollum led the team in scoring with 23 points on a field goal percentage of 50.0%.

The Historicals

Last season, the Celtics and Pelicans played two games against each other, with Boston coming away with a win in each game. In game 1, they won by a score of 104-92 while adding a 107-104 victory in game 2. Last year, the Celtics saw a drop in overall scoring when playing the Pelicans, averaging 105.5 points per game. Like the Celtics, the Pelicans scored at a rate below their season average, finishing with 94.5 points per game vs. Boston. Spanning across the last five head-to-head matchups, the Celtics and Pelicans have been competitive, with an average margin of victory sitting at just 1 point per game. This has resulted in a 3-2 ATS record for New Orleans. In these contests, they averaged a combined 217 points per game, leading to an over-under mark of 1-3-1.

Analysis

The Boston offense will take the floor in today’s game with the league’s 1st ranked offense at 120.4 points per game. When looking at the team’s pace of play, the Celtics are currently below the league average in possessions per game, averaging just 99.8 per contest. Even though they have preferred to slow the game down, the Boston offense is the 19th-ranked team in made field goals per game.

Against the Pelicans, the Celtics will look to continue their strong defensive play. For the year, they are the 1st ranked unit at 104.48 points per game.

This season, the Celtics’ offense has primarily worked through Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who are 1st and 2nd on the team in scoring. In his 15 games, Tatum is 5th in the NBA at 31.07 points per game. So far, he and Brown have accounted for 46% of the team’s field goal attempts while combining to average 56.21 points per contest. In addition to sitting 2nd on the team in scoring, Jaylen Brown is grabbing 6.64 rebounds for Boston to go along with 3.21 assists.

The New Orleans offense will take the floor in today’s game with the league’s 5th-ranked offense at 116.7 points per game. Coming into today’s game, the Pelicans will be looking to improve their 3-point shooting numbers, as they are averaging just 11.1 made 3’s per game. Although New Orleans has struggled with their outside shot, they have done an excellent job taking care of the ball, averaging just 13.5 turnovers per game.

On defense, the Pelicans will look for some improved play, as they are currently the 13th-ranked unit in points allowed per game.

Before getting a bet down on this matchup, be sure to check in on the health status of Zion Williamson, who is 2nd on the team in scoring at 23.55 points per game. At the time of this article, Williamson is listed as questionable. For the season, he is 1st on the team in usage rate and is 34th in the NBA in player efficiency rating. If he is able to play, New Orleans will benefit from having both of their top scorers, as CJ McCollum leads the team and is 54th in the league in scoring (19.0). For today’s matchup, he will going against a defense ranked 14th in points allowed to point guards.

Betting Trends

• Celtics are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
• Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall.
• Pelicans are 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall.
• Pelicans are 4-1 ATS in their last five after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

The Celtics have won seven games in a row. New Orleans has won three in a row, but if you watch them play, you get a huge sense of dysfunction. They’re not in the same class as Boston. I’m laying the -3 with the Celtics. Be sure to check out our Miami Heat vs. Washington Wizards prediction!