The Boston Celtics continued their recent run by nearly doubling the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, 133-77. Tonight, they welcome the New Orleans Pelicans to TD Garden just two weeks after putting up a 17-point victory in Louisiana. Boston opened as a 6.5-point favorite with the total at 229.5 but breaking news in the afternoon drastically changes the betting strategy for tonight.
In the first meeting on November 26, Kyrie Irving had 26 points while Jayson Tatum and Al Horford both chipped in 20. Anthony Davis led the Pelicans with 27 points ahead of Nikola Mirotic’s 25. Mirotic had a game-high six three-pointers while Irving responded with five of his own.
This afternoon it was revealed that the Celtics will be playing without Irving and Aron Baynes while Horford and Gordon Hayward are both doubtful. The status of Anthony Davis for tonight is also in question, so the line now sits at -4.5 for Boston with the total at 224.
- New Orleans PF Anthony Davis was injured last night and is questionable tonight.
- Boston is 5-0 SU and ATS in its last 5 games (avg. winning margin: 28.6).
- New Orleans is 1-4 SU and ATS on the second game of a back-to-back this season.
Pelicans vs Celtics Game Center
Pelicans Await Status of Anthony Davis
New Orleans star forward Anthony Davis injured his hip in a collision with Blake Griffin in Detroit and is questionable for the Pelicans tonight. Obviously, the status of the Pelicans’ top player is a major factor in a game where they are the betting underdog.
In games without the NBA’s blocks leader this season, the Pelicans are 0-3 SU and 1-2 ATS. Davis returned for the second half last night after his injury but ended the game with 26 minutes played and just six points.
Celtics Are Banged UP Too
Whether the Pelicans are with or without Anthony Davis, the Celtics will be without Kyrie Irving, out with shoulder soreness, while Gordon Hayward and Al Horford are both doubtful.
The Celtics are shooting 46.3 percent from the floor in December, resulting in an average of 126.3 points per game – well up from their season average of 110.3. On top of that, they are playing their best defense of the season as well, holding December opponents to 95.3 points on 34.7 percent shooting.
These numbers will be drastically affected if they play without Irving and Hayward, two of the Celtics’ top players.
My Bet for Tonight
Initially, I was on the Celtics in this game, but the line has dropped to -4.5 with the news that Irving will be out and Hayward and Horford are doubtful. With each team potentially without its leading scorer, I’m OK with betting UNDER 224 in this game.
Keep an eye on the status of Anthony Davis. If he’s in the lineup today, it might be worth taking the Pelicans in an underdog position on the spread.
