New Orleans faces Boston, aims to halt 4-game slide
Boston Celtics (33-15, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (12-36, 14th in the Western Conference)
New Orleans; Friday, 8 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: New Orleans will try to break its four-game losing streak when the Pelicans play Boston.
The Pelicans are 8-17 on their home court. New Orleans is eighth in the NBA with 12.1 offensive rebounds per game led by Yves Missi averaging 3.5 offensive boards.
The Celtics are 17-6 in road games. Boston is second in the Eastern Conference allowing just 108.3 points while holding opponents to 45.1% shooting.
The Pelicans score 109.7 points per game, 1.4 more points than the 108.3 the Celtics give up. The Celtics average 117.3 points per game, 0.8 fewer than the 118.1 the Pelicans give up to opponents.
TOP PERFORMERS: CJ McCollum is averaging 22 points and 3.9 assists for the Pelicans. Trey Murphy III is averaging 21.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists over the last 10 games.
Jayson Tatum is averaging 26.7 points, nine rebounds and 5.4 assists for the Celtics. Jaylen Brown is averaging 20.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Pelicans: 5-5, averaging 119.7 points, 43.8 rebounds, 27.6 assists, 9.4 steals and 6.5 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 121.8 points per game.
Celtics: 6-4, averaging 114.7 points, 45.5 rebounds, 26.1 assists, 7.1 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 44.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.8 points.
INJURIES: Pelicans: Brandon Ingram: out (ankle), Herbert Jones: out (shoulder), Jordan Hawkins: day to day (illness).
Celtics: Al Horford: day to day (toe), Sam Hauser: day to day (hip).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
2026 NBA Draft Declarations Tracker: UNC's Caleb Wilson Declares
2025-26 NBA Awards Odds: Sixth Man of the Year, Coach of the Year, More
Who are the 10 best 3-point shooters in NBA history?
2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds: Knueppel Favored After Flagg's Rough Night
2026 NBA Playoff Picture, Bracket, Standings
2025-26 NBA Title Odds: Thunder Enter Postseason Favored to Repeat
2025-26 NBA MVP Odds: SGA Favored Over Wemby, Joker
NBA Champions by Year: Complete list of NBA Finals winners
NBA Draft History: Complete list of overall #1 picks since 1947
2026 NBA Draft Declarations Tracker: UNC's Caleb Wilson Declares
2025-26 NBA Awards Odds: Sixth Man of the Year, Coach of the Year, More
Who are the 10 best 3-point shooters in NBA history?
2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds: Knueppel Favored After Flagg's Rough Night
2026 NBA Playoff Picture, Bracket, Standings
2025-26 NBA Title Odds: Thunder Enter Postseason Favored to Repeat
2025-26 NBA MVP Odds: SGA Favored Over Wemby, Joker
NBA Champions by Year: Complete list of NBA Finals winners
NBA Draft History: Complete list of overall #1 picks since 1947
