Celtics vs. Pelicans NBA Prediction
The Boston Celtics find themselves as small road favorites on Sunday when they take on the New Orleans Pelicans at 3:30 p.m. ET. Will the Celtics cover the 2.5-point spread or is there a better bet on the board today in New Orleans?
Game Snapshot
535 Boston Celtics (-2.5) at 536 New Orleans Pelicans (+2.5); o/u 233
3:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, February 21, 2021
Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
TV: ABC
Boston Celtics DFS Spin
Kemba Walker led the Celtics with a team-high 28 points (10-of-16 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs) in Friday’s 121-109 win over Atlanta. The rest of his line was terrific too, with Walker adding six assists, five rebounds, three steals, one block and five triples. Boston’s load management plan appears to be paying off and coach Brad Stevens praised him after the game, saying that despite Boston’s struggles in the last week he can’t overlook how impressive Kemba has been. The veteran PG said his knee is getting “stronger every day”, but he won’t lobby for more minutes because he understands his health is the priority.
New Orleans Pelicans DFS Spin
Lonzo Ball handed out a season-high 12 dimes vs. the Suns on Friday, adding 21 points, three steals and two blocks in 36 minutes of action. This was Ball’s first double-double of the season and he tied his highest combined steals and blocks (he had five swipes back on Dec. 27). He’s scored 21 points in back-to-back games and is 11-of-22 from deep in those contests, so all is well for fantasy purposes. In reality, Ball’s strong play hasn’t prevented the Pelicans from losing five of their past six games to dip to 12-17 (12th in the West). Brandon Ingram scored 25 points tonight, Zion Williamson added 23 points with five boards and four dimes, but as usual it was lousy defense that spoiled the fun — New Orleans was destroyed in the fourth quarter, 41-12. Ball will look to stay hot (and earn a much-needed win) vs. the visiting Celtics on Sunday.
Celtics vs. Pelicans Betting Prediction
The over is 4-1 in the Celtics’ last five games when their opponent scored 100 points or more in its previous game and is 5-0 in the Pelicans’ last five games as a home dog. The over is also 12-1 in the Pelicans’ last 13 home games, is 7-1 in their last eight games as an underdog and is 14-3 in their last 17 games when playing on one day of rest.
NBA BETTING PREDICTION: CELTICS/PELICANS OVER 233