New Orleans Pelicans (12-17) vs Boston Celtics (15-14)
Game Info: Sunday, February 21, 2021 at 3:30 pm (Smoothie King Center)
Betting Odds: New Orleans Pelicans +2.5 -- Over/Under: 233 Click Here for the Latest Odds
The Boston Celtics and the New Orleans Pelicans collide at the Smoothie King Center on Sunday afternoon.
The Boston Celtics have had a few hiccups lately as they’ve lost five of their last eight games, but they will be looking to stay hot after blowing past the Hawks in a 121-109 home win on Friday. Kemba Walker broke of out his shooting slump with 28 points and six assists on 10 of 16 shooting, Jayson Tatum added 25 points with eight rebounds and six assists while Tristan Thompson and Jaylen Brown each scored 17 points. As a team, the Celtics shot a healthy 55 percent from the field and 14 of 35 from the 3-point line as they dominated the game right from the tipoff and led by as many as 27 points, before easing off in the fourth quarter where the Hawks made a run to keep the final scores respectable.
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have been in a real slump lately as they’ve lost five of their last six games and they will be hoping to snap a two-game skid after getting routed by the Suns in a 132-114 home loss on Friday. Brandon Ingram led the team with 25 points on 10 of 20 shooting, Zion Williamson added 23 points on eight of 11 shooting while Lonzo Ball chipped in with 21 points and 12 assists. As a team, the Pelicans shot 51 percent from the field and 11 of 32 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in control for most of the game as they led by 11 points, before getting absolutely blown out in the fourth quarter by 41-12. Steven Adams sat out the game with a sprained right ankle and is listed as questionable for Sunday.
Looking at the betting trends, the Celtics are 1-7 ATS in their last eight games against a team with a losing record, 1-4 ATS in their last five road games and 0-5 ATS in their last five games following a win. The Pelicans are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games following a double-digit loss at home, 4-1 ATS in their last five games as a home underdog and 1-5 ATS in their last six games overall.
Head to head, the under is 4-1 in the last five meetings in New Orleans.
The Pelicans have really struggled lately and their fourth-quarter collapse against the Suns must be so detrimental to their confidence as a young squad. Meanwhile, the Celtics haven’t been at their best, but they must be feeling good after routing a red-hot Suns team, especially with Walker breaking out of his shooting slump. Neither team have been good to bet on lately, but I think the Celtics are trending upwards and I like them to stay hot with another win here.