Associated Press
Boston Celtics (57 wins, 16 losses, 1st place in the Eastern Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (45 wins, 28 losses, 5th place in the Western Conference)
New Orleans; Saturday, 5pm ET
Highlights: Boston visits New Orleans for a nonconference matchup.
The Pelicans are 21-14 in home games. New Orleans has a 1-6 record in games decided by fewer than four points.
The Celtics are 25-13 on the road. Boston ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference with Jaylen Brown averaging 4.4 points and 15.5 fast-break points per game.
The Pelicans are averaging 12.2 3-pointers per game this season, just 0.6 fewer than the Celtics' 12.8 3-pointers per game. The Celtics are averaging 16.6 3-pointers per game this season, 3.2 more than the Pelicans' average of 13.4 per game.
This is the second meeting between the two teams this season. The Celtics won 118-112 in their last meeting on January 30th.
Top performers: Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas is averaging 12.5 points on 56.2 percent shooting. Zion Williamson is averaging 26.5 points in his last 10 games.
Derrick White of the Celtics is averaging 15.5 points on 46.5% shooting. Sam Hauser is averaging 3.7 3-pointers in his last 10 games.
Last 10 games: Pelicans: 7-3, averaging 110.3 points, 42.8 rebounds, 27.1 assists, 7.8 steals, and 4.2 blocks per game, shooting 49.3 percent from the field. Opponents are averaging 105.0 points per game.
Celtics: 8-2, averaged 123.5 points, 41.4 rebounds, 28.3 assists, 7.5 steals, and 6.4 blocks per game, shooting 49.1 percent from the field. The opponent's average score was 109.3 points.
Injuries: Pelicans: Brandon Ingram: out (knee), Jose Alvarado: out (hip), Dyson Daniels: out (knee).
Celtics: Jaden Springer: out (knee), Al Horford: out (toe).
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The Associated Press produced this article using technology from Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
