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The Boston Celtics and the New Orleans Pelicans will square off Tuesday night in a meeting between two of NBA’s in form teams.
The Celtics (34-10, 18-5 home) have won 7 games in a row and are well on track to finish as the top seed in the Eastern Conference, despite dealing with various injuries so far this season. The addition of Kyrie Irving in the Summer and the exquisite coaching of Brad Stevens have allowed Boston to amass the second best record in the entire league at this point, and they are playing some excellent basketball. The Celtics haven`t played since Thursday, when they beat the Sixers in London, England.
The Pelicans (22-20, 11-11 away) have won 2 games in a row and 3 of their last 5, with Anthony Davis balling out of control in the last 10 days or so. New Orleans is currently 6th in the Western Conference, but the race for the playoff there is as tight as it gets, and any game could end up being a difference maker at the end. The Pelicans are on the back of a 5 point win against the Knicks in New York on Sunday.
Bet on Celtics vs. Pelicans and claim your 100% (100 EUR) freebet at Ohmbet now!Team news: Besides the long term injuries of Hayward and Larkin, Boston also has Tatum and Horford listed as probable for this game. Horford is highly expected to play, but Tatum is reported to have high chances to play as well. As for the Pelicans, they will miss Nelson, Allen, Ajinca, Jackson and Hill, but Nelson is the only new absentee.
The point spread here is set at -4.5 points in favor of Boston, and you have to feel that it should be higher. The spread will likely go up if Horford and Tatum will be cleared to play, as expected. Reports say that both will play as long as nothing out of the ordinary happens during shootaround, and at the very least one of them should be ready (Horford being the more likely and also the more important against a top heavy team like the Pelicans).
New Orleans is playing good basketball recently but nothing spectacular. Meeting the team with the second best record in the NBA away from home could well be too much of a challenge.
The Celtics are pumping on all cylinders with 7 consecutive wins, including victories over top teams like the Rockets, the Cavs, the Wolves or the Sixers. they are defending with high intensity and are playing some great team basketball. When they need him, Kyrie Irving can raise his game and take them over the finish line.
I`m riding with the Celtics here, they are the better team, have home court advantage and should win the game. My tip is Boston to win and cover a 4 point (asian) handicap. Prediction: Boston Celtics – New Orleans Pelicans 110 – 100.
Pick: Celtics -4
Odds: 1.89 @ Sbobet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 7.12
Event date: 16 January
