The Celtics had a close call against the Pelicans during a 120-119 home victory on Jan. 12. New Orleans had a chance to win but fell short when CJ McCollum missed a contested layup in the final seconds.
New Orleans is coming off a 137-136 loss against the Mavericks, and the Pelicans are 5-5 in their past 10 games.
Here’s your preview.
When: Friday, 8 p.m.
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans
TV, radio: NBCSB, WBZ-FM 98.5
Line: Boston -11. O/U: 232.0.
CELTICS
Season record: 33-15. vs. spread: 20-28. Over/under: 21-26, 1 push
Last 10 games: 6-4. vs. spread: 4-6. Over/under: 5-5
PELICANS
Season record: 12-36. vs. spread: 19-28, 1 push. Over/under: 27-20, 1 push
Last 10 games: 5-5. vs. spread: 5-4, 1 push. Over/under: 7-3
TEAM STATISTICS
Points per game: Boston 117.3, New Orleans 109.7
Points allowed per game: Boston 108.3, New Orleans 118.1
Field goal percentage: Boston .457, New Orleans .445
Opponent field goal percentage: Boston .451, New Orleans .483
3-point percentage: Boston .365, New Orleans .345
Opponent 3-point percentage: Boston .350, New Orleans .365
Stat of the day: The Pelicans allow 118.1 points per game, the fifth-most in the NBA.
Notes: Entering Friday, New Orleans ranks tied for 23rd in the league in 3-point attempts per game (35.3) and tied for 24th in 3-point percentage (34.5). Boston, meanwhile, leads the league in 3-point attempts per game (48.6) and is tied for 12th in 3-point percentage (36.5). … Kristaps Porzingis’s current surge could be the spark the Celtics need to regain their championship form. “When he’s shooting the ball like that with confidence, that opens it up for everybody else,” Boston forward Jaylen Brown said. “So that’s what I like to see.” … Like Porzingis, McCollum had a notable 3-point performance Wednesday night. He made three triples to break the Pelicans’ franchise record with 629, surpassing current Celtics guard Jrue Holiday.
Rumsha Siddiqui can be reached at rumsha.siddiqui@globe.com. Follow her on X @rumshasidd.
