A cross-conference battle features the Boston Celtics and the New Orleans Pelicans linking up on Saturday afternoon. The Celtics have dominated the series lately against the Pelicans. On Jan. 29, Boston topped New Orleans 118-112. Brandon Ingram (knee) and Jose Alvarado (oblique) are out for New Orleans.
Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Boston is the 6-point favorite in the latest Celtics vs. Pelicans odds via SportsLine consensus. The over/under for total points is 223. Before entering any Pelicans vs. Celtics picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions from the advanced computer model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 23 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 77-50 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,500. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
The model has set its sights on Celtics vs. Pelicans. You can head to SportsLine now to see its picks. Here are several NBA betting lines for the Pelicans vs. Celtics game:
- Celtics vs. Pelicans spread: Boston -6
- Celtics vs. Pelicans over/under: 223 points
- Celtics vs. Pelicans money line: Boston -244, New Orleans +197
- BOS: 37-33-3 ATS this season
- NO: 41-31-1 ATS this season
- Celtics vs. Pelicans picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Celtics can cover
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are getting plenty of help this season from a strong supporting cast. Center Kristaps Porzingis brings a lengthy force into the frontcourt. Porzingis is a commanding force in the paint but has the ability to score from all three levels when needed. The 28-year-old averages 20.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. In his last game, Porzingis had 20 points, seven rebounds and three blocks.
Guard Derrick White is an agile ball handler in the backcourt. White scans the floor well as a playmaker and owns the skillset to create his own shot. The Colorado product logs 15.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.2 assists per contest. On Mar. 28 versus the Hawks, White had 22 points, seven boards and five assists. See which team to back at SportsLine.
Why the Pelicans can cover
Forward Zion Williamson is an athletic force. The Duke product averages a team-high 22.8 points with 5.8 rebounds and five assists per game. He also shoots 58% from the floor. On Tuesday versus the Thunder, Williamson notched 29 points, five rebound and 10 assists.
Guard CJ McCollum score from all three levels with ease but also gets his teammates good shot attempts. He logs 18.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. In his last outing against the Bucks, McCollum totaled 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. See which team to back at SportsLine.
How to make Pelicans vs. Celtics picks
The model is leaning Under on the total, projecting 222 combined points. It also says one side of the spread is the better value. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.
Who wins Celtics vs. Pelicans, and which side of the spread is the better value? Visit SportsLine now to see the picks, all from the model that's on a sizzling 77-50 roll on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.
