NBA Game Preview: Boston Celtics (0-3) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (0-2)

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Venue & Match Info

Arena: Smoothie King Center, 1501 Girod Street, New Orleans, LA 70113

Tipoff: 8:00 PM ET (7:00 PM CT)

Broadcast: NBC Sports Boston, Gulf Coast Sports, Pelicans+

Injury Report

Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum – Out (Achilles, long-term)

Sam Hauser – Day-to-day (ankle)

Jaylen Brown – Active, carrying the scoring load (29.7 PPG)

New Orleans Pelicans

Dejounte Murray – Out (Achilles)

Kevon Looney – Out (knee)

Karlo Matkovic – Questionable (back)

Yves Missi – Questionable (ankle)

DeAndre Jordan – Available after recent signing

Player Matchups

Jaylen Brown (BOS, 29.7 PPG) vs. Zion Williamson (NOP, 27.0 PPG, 9.5 RPG): Both stars are carrying their teams offensively.

Derrick White (BOS, 18.3 PPG) vs. Jordan Poole (NOP, 19.0 PPG): Scoring guards who can swing momentum.

Neemias Queta (BOS, 7.0 RPG) vs. Derik Queen (NOP rookie, 15 pts, 6 reb vs. SAS): Interior battle between a defensive big and a young center.

Payton Pritchard (BOS, 15.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG) vs. Trey Murphy III (NOP, 24 pts, 10 reb vs. SAS): Secondary scorers with shooting range.

Team Recent Form

Boston Celtics: Losses to PHI (117-116), NYK (105-95), DET (119-113). Averaging 108.0 PPG, allowing 113.7 PPG. Struggling without Tatum.

New Orleans Pelicans: Losses to MEM (128-122), SAS (120-116 OT). Averaging 119.0 PPG, allowing 124.0 PPG. Competitive but unable to close games.

Series History

All-time: Celtics lead 28–21.

Last season (2024–25): Boston swept both meetings (120-119, 118-116).

Recent Trend: Celtics have won 4 straight vs. Pelicans, including two close games last season.

Betting Trends

Boston: 39-43 ATS last season; 37 overs. Have failed to cover in last 4 games.

New Orleans: 33-47-2 ATS last season; 45 overs. Covered 7 of 11 as ≥3-point favorites.

Totals: Both teams’ games this season have leaned Over (Boston allowing 113.7 PPG, New Orleans 124.0 PPG).

Situational: Celtics are on the second night of a back-to-back; Pelicans are rested.

Game Odds

Boston Celtics                                   232.5

New Orleans Pelicans                    – 2.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, October 26, 2025