The Boston Celtics are gearing up to face the New Orleans Pelicans tonight, January 31, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. ET, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. With their current record of 33 wins and 15 losses, the Celtics are positioned firmly as the second seed in the Eastern Conference, only behind the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Pelicans, contrastingly, are struggling at the bottom of the Western Conference, holding a dismal 12-36 record.
Fans tuning in will be expecting quite the showdown, especially as the Celtics come off a commanding victory over the Chicago Bulls. The Celtics kept their opponents at bay, securing a 122-100 win. Kristaps Porzingis stole the show, posting 34 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, alongside making 8 out of 14 three-pointers, which marked his new career high. Jaylen Brown contributed significantly as well, scoring 28 points and providing six assists. Despite the win, the Celtics faced challenges with offensive rebounds, managing only five, their lowest output since November 2024.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans are eager to turn their fortunes around after experiencing their fourth consecutive defeat, narrowly losing 137-136 to the Dallas Mavericks. Trey Murphy III highlighted the game with impressive shooting, scoring 32 points and pulling down six rebounds. Another key player, Zion Williamson, recorded 29 points, seven assists, and six rebounds. The Pelicans have been fostering stronger performances, yet consistency seems to elude them. Their recent loss ended their brief home-winning streak, and they’re currently feeling the pressure to perform as the season progresses.
The last encounter between these two teams was just as thrilling; the Celtics edged the Pelicans by only one point on January 12, winning 120-119. This rematch holds significant importance, not just for the standings, but as the Celtics look to improve on their previous performance against the Pelicans. The Pelicans will aim to capitalize on their home court advantage, hoping for enhanced synergy among players and tightening up on defense.
A noteworthy aspect of this matchup will be the Celtics' defensive strategy, which has proven particularly effective this season, allowing only 108.3 points per game. This poses substantial challenges for the Pelicans' offense as they gear up to confront the aspirations of being more consistent. Looking at the odds, Boston stands as a formidable 11-point favorite, as individuals and analysts alike have forecasted based on both teams' recent performances.
For fans wishing to catch the game live, it will be available on Gulf Coast Sports, with streaming options across platforms like fuboTV and the CBS Sports App. Local radio coverage will also be provided through flagship station 98.5 FM The Sports Hub, ensuring dedicated followers won't miss any action.
Both teams feature standout players with notable statistics: Jaylen Brown averages 23.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, with his three-point shooting at 31.8%. On the other hand, Zion Williamson also averages 23.6 points per game, alongside 8.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists, but struggles from beyond the arc at 18.2%. The match offers exciting individual battles as these players look to lead their teams to victory.
Historically, the Celtics have dominated their recent matchups against the Pelicans, winning seven out of their last ten encounters. This record could instill confidence within Boston as they face New Orleans tonight. The atmosphere at the Smoothie King Center is expected to be electric, with Pelicans' supporters eager to rally their team for resilience and competitive spirit.
Tonight's game marks another chapter for both the Celtics and Pelicans — one aiming to keep climbing the ranks and the other seeking redemption and reestablishment. With both teams marching toward their goals, fans are sure to witness gripping basketball action this evening.