NEW ORLEANS vs BOSTON 12/10/2018 Odds, Picks & Preview

The NEW ORLEANS and the BOSTON will both be gunning for a victory on 12/10/2018 at 7:35 PM when they meet in a game matchup.

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS vs BOSTON CELTICS
When: 7:30 PM  ET, Monday, December 10, 2018
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts

TV: 7:35 PM
LINE: -6.5
PREDICTION: BOSTON , NEW ORLEANS

Oddsmakers currently have the BOSTON listed as -6.5 point favorites versus the NEW ORLEANS, while the game’s total is sitting at 230.5.

The Boston Celtics seemed to figure things out offensively when they visited New Orleans just after Thanksgiving and spanked the Pelicans. That kicked off a five-game winning streak for the Celtics, who try to keep the run going when they host New Orleans for a rematch Monday night.

Boston is averaging 126.2 points during its winning streak and set a record for the largest margin of victory in team history with a 133-77 rout of the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. “I think since the last five games, we’ve been moving the ball very well, probably average 30 assists in every game we won,” forward Daniel Theis told reporters after producing a career-high 22 points in the victory. “That’s the way we should play – just fast.” The Pelicans have exchanged wins and losses since the meeting with Boston and opened their two-game road trip with a 116-108 win at Detroit on Sunday. Jrue Holiday scored a season-high 37 points in the victory as New Orleans survived a limited effort by superstar forward Anthony Davis, who missed a portion of the game due to a hip issue and finished with just six points.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBATV, FS New Orleans, NBCS Boston

ABOUT THE PELICANS (14-14): Davis had his lowest point total since he had two points in an injury-shortened affair on Oct. 24, 2017, but the 25-year-old still managed nine rebounds, five blocks and four assists in his 26 minutes. “It will be evaluated later,” coach Alvin Gentry told reporters of his best player’s hip. “A lot of times it’s the next day where the pain is. We’ll have to wait and see. If he’s not ready to go (Monday), we’re not going to press the issue – not less than 30 games into the season.” Holiday made 14-of-22 shots in Sunday’s win and is averaging 26.5 points and 9.5 assists over his last four games.

ABOUT THE CELTICS (15-10): Jaylen Brown returned from a back injury two games ago and has thrived in his new bench role, producing an average of 22 points while shooting 15-for-21 in those two contests. Fellow reserve Terry Rozier chipped in 15 points and backup Semi Ojeleye had 13 in Saturday’s win as coach Brad Stevens continues to get good production from his non-starters. “It’s something we’ve had to figure out, what was going to work best,” Stevens told reporters of the bench. “If all things being equal, as we went back to our lineup at the start of the year, we’d be a little bit better, because we’re more comfortable with each other, we’d know a little bit more about how guys coexist. But clearly it’s been a good couple of groups, so we’ll see what happens from here.”

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Celtics F/C Al Horford (knee) missed Saturday’s game and is day-to-day.

2. Boston PG Kyrie Irving had 26 points, 10 assists and five steals in the earlier win at New Orleans.

3. Pelicans PF Julius Randle is averaging 29.5 points and 11.3 rebounds over a four-game span.

PREDICTION: Celtics 121, Pelicans 110

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