The New Orleans Pelicans in a must win against the Boston Celtics
By Joshua Lea
The New Orleans Pelicans are a game and a half ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers for the eighth and final playoff spot. Today’s game against the Celtics is a must win.
The New Orleans Pelicans are likely searching for answers following a 107-101 loss against the Rockets last night. It was a game in which the Rockets came in prepared to defend and keep the ball out of Anthony Davis‘ hands.
It would appear this formula is a recipe to defeat the Pelicans. Davis shot 18 shots against the Rockets for 26 points. Jrue Holiday followed up with a cool 19 points. Although, once again Nikola Mirotic is the odd man out, scoring only seven points on seven shots.
Today, the Pelicans will play the Boston Celtics after playing the Houston Rockets last evening. Not only that, the Pelicans will also start the dreaded five games in six nights this week. Without jumping too far ahead, the game against Boston is a must win for playoff purposes.
Tonight the Clippers will play host to the Portland Trailblazers with the eighth seed on the line. A Pelicans win and a Clipper loss gives NOLA some much-needed breathing room. However, a Pelicans loss and a LAC win will put the Pelicans on the outside.
Luckily, Boston is dealing with some injury issues of their own. Kyrie Irving is battling a left sore knee. Jaylen Brown, Jabari Bird, Daniel Theis and Marcus Smart are all out for the Celtics today.
However, Irving is one of the most exciting point guards to watch in today’s game. The Celtics are also one of the NBA’s strongest defenses holding opponents to 100.3 points a game.
Keys to victory against the Boston Celtics
The biggest key for the Pelicans is to get Anthony Davis going offensively. If Rajon Rondo doesn’t play again today. Making sure AD gets the ball is going to be vital.
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Also, Mirotic has to step up. His scoring has taken a huge dip since Davis injured his foot during the game against Sacramento. He has to score more than seven points a game.
While there is no official word on whether Rondo will play or not. His defense against Irving is going to be crucial in this game.
Anthony Davis will likely be busy with Al Horford, and Holiday will get the task of guarding Jayson Tatum who’s listed as a small forward. The Celtics are a bottom heavy team with Horford and Marcus Morris. So, the Pelicans will have to likely go big and a matchup with the Celtics in the post.
Next: Pelicans lose to Rockets 107-101
ESPN’s matchup predictor gives the Celtics a 55% chance of knocking off the Pelicans today and the line is NOLA -1.5. The game will tipoff at 5:00 today from the Smoothie King Center in NOLA.