The Pelicans head to Boston looking for consecutive road wins after their gutsy victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. It wasn’t just a win; it was a much-needed boost for a team and fanbase that’s dealt with more than its share of adversity.
With Zion Williamson suspended and Trey Murphy injured, CJ McCollum was on fire, dropping 38 points to lead the Pelicans. Fortunately, McCollum will get reinforcements with the expected returns of Williamson and Murphy on Sunday, just in time for a tough matchup against the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics, meanwhile, have been one of the NBA’s most consistent teams this season. Even with a surprising loss to the Sacramento Kings on Friday, they still sit second in the Eastern Conference. They’ve got firepower at every position and one of the best home crowds in the league. The Pelicans will have their hands full at TD Garden, where Boston is 13-7 this year.
Can CJ Stay Hot?
If the Pelicans are going to make this one interesting, they’ll likely need another strong performance from McCollum. The 33-year-old has been on a heater recently, averaging 28.2 points over his last five games. In that stretch, he’s shooting a scorching 50% from three-point range, hitting on 26 of his last 52 attempts.
McCollum has done his job to carry the offensive load, but the Pelicans will need contributions from the rest of the starters to keep pace with Boston. Having Zion back gives the Pelicans an interior presence, Trey Murphy’s return adds much-needed shooting, and Jordan Hawkins showed flashes of his potential, scoring 21 points against Philly. If the Pelicans want to stay competitive, they’ll need production from all three along with a clean game from Dejounte Murray.
The Matchup Problem
Let’s be honest—this one isn’t a great matchup for New Orleans. Boston leads the league in three-pointers made (18.0 per game) and attempted (49.5). Meanwhile, the Pelicans rank 28th in threes made, and that math is difficult to overcome. Boston can pile on points in a hurry from beyond the arc, and New Orleans will need to find a way to slow them down.
The Pelicans’ defense, ranked 27th in the league, will have its hands full trying to contain Tatum (27.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists). And that’s before you even factor in Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porziņģis. This Celtics team is deep, disciplined, and dangerous. They’re the defending champions for a reason.
Bright Spots to Watch
Despite the challenges, the Pelicans have shown signs of life lately, winning three of their last five games. Their bench delivered 36 points against Philadelphia, led by Jose Alvarado (13 points, 9 assists), Daniel Theis (12 points), and Brandon Boston Jr. (11 points).
Murphy’s return couldn’t come at a better time. He’s shooting 39% from three since December and gives the Pelicans an extra weapon to help space the floor. Combine that with the team’s strong offensive rebounding (6th in the NBA), and there’s a path for New Orleans to hang around if they bring energy and effort.
Final Thoughts
The odds are stacked against the Pelicans in this one. But, then again, nobody thought they’d go into Philly and come out with a win. If McCollum stays hot, Zion shows up, Trigga hits a few timely threes, and the defense shows up for 48 minutes, maybe—just maybe—they can shock the Celtics.
But it’ll take a near-perfect effort to knock off one of the league’s best teams on their home floor.
Most Recent Starting Lineups
| Boston Celtics | New Orleans Pelicans |
| G – Derrick White | G – Dejounte Murray |
| G – Jrue Holiday | G – CJ McCollum |
| F – Jaylen Brown | F – Jordan Hawkins |
| F – Jayson Tatum | F – Javonte Green |
| C – Kristaps Porzingis | C – Yves Missi |
Injuries
Boston Celtics: Drew Peterson (concussion) is OUT.
New Orleans Pelicans: Dejounte Murray (right elbow soreness/right shin contusion) is QUESTIONABLE. Brandon Ingram (left ankle sprain) and Herb Jones (right shoulder strain) are OUT.
Who: New Orleans Pelicans (8–31) vs Boston Celtics (27-11)
Season Series:
- Jan. 12: Pelicans at Celtics
- Jan. 31: Pelicans vs. Celtics
Series History: The New Orleans Pelicans are 21-26 all-time against the Boston Celtics, and have lost six in a row in the series.
Where: TD Garden
When: Jan. 12, 5:00 PM CST
Where to watch: Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network
Where to listen: WWL Radio 870 AM
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