Tatum, Boston set for matchup with New Orleans

Boston Celtics (25-25, eighth in the Eastern Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (18-30, 12th in the Western Conference)

New Orleans; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST

LINE: Pelicans -4.5

BOTTOM LINE: Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics visit the New Orleans Pelicans. Tatum is eighth in the league scoring 25.9 points per game.

The Pelicans have gone 11-12 in home games. New Orleans is ninth in the league with 45.6 rebounds led by Jonas Valanciunas averaging 12.0.

The Celtics are 9-15 in road games. Boston is ninth in the Eastern Conference scoring 44.0 points per game in the paint led by Tatum averaging 9.3.

The teams meet for the second time this season. In the last meeting on Jan. 17 the Celtics won 104-92 led by 27 points from Tatum, while Valanciunas scored 22 points for the Pelicans.

TOP PERFORMERS: Brandon Ingram is shooting 44.3% and averaging 22.4 points for the Pelicans. Devonte' Graham is averaging 2.7 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for New Orleans.

Tatum is scoring 25.9 points per game with 8.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists for the Celtics. Jaylen Brown is averaging 24.0 points and 8.0 rebounds while shooting 43.4% over the last 10 games for Boston.

LAST 10 GAMES: Pelicans: 5-5, averaging 107.1 points, 41.4 rebounds, 24.5 assists, 8.1 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.6 points per game.

Celtics: 6-4, averaging 108.0 points, 48.7 rebounds, 23.4 assists, 6.3 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 45.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 100.3 points.

INJURIES: Pelicans: Brandon Ingram: out (ankle), Kira Lewis Jr.: out for season (knee), Zion Williamson: out (foot), Didi Louzada: out (kne), Jonas Valanciunas: out (illness), Trey Murphy III: out (health and safety protocols).

Celtics: PJ Dozier: out (acl), Bol Bol: out (foot).

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