Dare we say the Boston Celtics are in a crisis? For only the 3rd time this season they’re on a 2-game losing streak, having dropped back-to-back games to the Atlanta Hawks. The Cs went into both games as favorites by 10.5 and 15.5 points, but execution down the stretch was an issue and they just couldn’t bring it home. Everyone is waiting for a response in tonight’s game at New Orleans, especially since Boston won the first meeting 118-112. This time around they’re only 5.5 point favorites which is much more realistic than the previous two games. Aside from a couple of marginal role players being questionable, the Celtics are pretty much at full strength here, playing one of the top teams in the West will be just the challenge they need.
New Orleans actually surprised a lot of people with their 107-100 victory over the Bucks on Thursday. Not having Brandon Ingram didn’t deter them from beating the 2nd best team in the East. Zion Williamson continued his stellar play with 28 points on 9-for-15 from the field. All 5 Pelicans starters scored in double-figures, although they shot under 40% they were still able to win the game. And that’s the strength of this team – when the shot isn’t falling they are still able to win games, mainly thanks to their defensive effort. In the last 10 games they’re 8th in defensive efficiency, holding teams to under 110 points per 100 possessions. Can they do the same vs Boston tonight? They enter the game on a 5-game win streak vs Atlantic Division opponents and a run of 8 wins in 10 games vs Eastern Conference teams.
