Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
This late-season Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference matchup features the lottery-bound New Orleans Pelicans visiting the playoff-locked Boston Celtics at TD Garden. New Orleans has been eliminated from postseason contention for weeks and is simply playing out the schedule, while Boston sits comfortably in the top tier of the East and can focus on fine-tuning for the playoffs.
Injury Report
New Orleans Pelicans:
Yves Missi (C) – Out (hand)
Dejounte Murray (PG) – Out (Achilles)
Zion Williamson (PF) – Out (knee)
Trey Murphy III (SF) – Out (ankle)
Bryce McGowens (G) – Out (toe)
Herbert Jones (PF) – Questionable (ankle)
Saddiq Bey (G) – GTD (rest)
Boston Celtics:
No major injuries reported for key rotation players. Boston enters with a healthy core and typical late-season load-management flexibility. The Pelicans are extremely shorthanded, with their top offensive and defensive pieces unavailable, leaving them reliant on a patchwork lineup of young and depth players.
Player Matchups & Probable Starters
NOP Probable Starters (subject to final confirmation): Limited healthy bodies; heavy minutes expected for available rotation pieces including Jeremiah Fears (G), Karlo Matkovic (F), and other call-ups/depth options.
BOS Probable Starters: Jayson Tatum (F), Jaylen Brown (F), Jrue Holiday (G), Derrick White (G), and Kristaps Porziņģis or Al Horford (C/big). Key Matchups:
Pelicans youth/depth vs. Celtics perimeter stars (Tatum/Brown): Boston’s All-Star wings should exploit New Orleans’ depleted defense and lack of size.
Boston’s frontcourt vs. Pelicans’ makeshift interior: Without Williamson, Missi, and Murphy, the Pelicans will struggle to contest the paint or rebound against Boston’s length and versatility.
Bench/Depth: The Celtics’ veteran rotation provides overwhelming advantages in scoring, playmaking, and defensive intensity.
Boston’s superior talent, spacing, and execution should dictate the game from tip-off.
Recent Team Forms
Pelicans (poor stretch, consistent with 26-54 overall): New Orleans has struggled mightily with injuries and inconsistency, posting low offensive output and defensive lapses in recent games.
Celtics (solid 7-3 in last 10, L1 most recently): Boston has been efficient on both ends, showcasing elite defense and balanced scoring even in limited minutes for stars. They remain one of the league’s top teams when healthy.
Series History
Boston has dominated recent meetings, winning the last several encounters including a 122-90 victory on October 27, 2025. The Celtics hold a strong all-time edge and have taken every matchup in the 2025-26 season to date. Games have typically been one-sided when the Pelicans are depleted.
Betting Trends
Boston covers as large favorites at a high rate against lottery teams; totals have varied but recent Boston home games trend toward moderate-to-high scoring when rested.
Game Odds
New Orleans Pelicans 227.5
Boston Celtics – 17.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, April 9, 2026
