Boston Celtics at New Orleans Pelicans, Preview, Odds, Picks and Prediction for Monday, October 27, 2025
Use Code SSWC The Boston Celtics are heading to the Smoothie King Center on Monday night to take on the New Orleans Pelicans in nonconference action for our Celtics vs. Pelicans prediction. The Celtics are 14th in the East with a 0-3 record as they are coming off a 119-113 road loss against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. The Pelicans are 14th in the West with a 0-2 record and are coming off Friday’s 120-116 overtime home loss against the San Antonio Spurs. This will be the first of two games against one another, as they do not play again until the end of the regular season. Half-court to transition — NBA picks for Boston Celtics at New Orleans Pelicans with key factors.
Celtics Looking to Find Their Stride
The Boston Celtics are looking to figure out how to play without Jayson Tatum and are coming off a 119-113 road loss against the Detroit Pistons in their most recent game. The Celtics shot the basketball at a good level as they were able to go 40-of-94 (42.6%) from the field, 15-of-45 (33.3%) from distance, and 24 trips to the free-throw line. Shooting guard Jaylen Brown led the offense in this game, as he posted 41 points, six rebounds, four assists, and four turnovers. This was a game where the defense stepped up as they allowed the Pistons to post a team shooting split of 42.4/26.5/88.9..
The Boston Celtics are in a position where they need to figure out how to score more consistently, as they are 29th in the league with 105.5 points per game while having a 43.9 shooting percentage, 29.9% 3-point percentage, and 80.5 free-throw percentage. Their defense has been one of the best in the sport, though, as they rank fifth with 111.0 points per game allowed while allowing their opponents to shoot 42.1% from the field and 38.8% from beyond the arc thus far.
Injury Report for Boston
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- Forward Jayson Tatum: Achilles (OUT) for most of the season.
Pelicans Looking for a Win
The New Orleans Pelicans are coming off a tough 120-116 overtime home loss against the San Antonio Spurs last time out. The team was able to play at a respectable level offensively as they finished shooting 42-of-97 (43.3%) from the field, 10-of-32 (31.3%) from beyond the arc, and attempted 29 free throws. Power forward Zion Williamson was able to lead the way as he finished with 27 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and four turnovers in 37 minutes of action. Their defense struggled as San Antonio shot 45-of-98 (45.9%) overall, 13-of-43 (30.2%) from three, and allowed 26 free throws.
The New Orleans Pelicans are looking to get out of the middle-of-the-pack offensively as they are 14th in the NBA with 119.0 points per game while shooting 44.6% from the floor, 33.9% from the 3-point line, and 73.3% from the free-throw line. Their defense has been struggling thus far as they are tied with the Denver Nuggets for 25th place with 124.0 opposing points per game while allowing 48.3% overall and 30.0% from beyond the arc.
Injury Report for New Orleans
- Center Yves Missi: Ankle (Questionable)
- Power forward Karlo Matkovic: Back (Questionable)
- Center Kevon Looney: Knee (OUT)
- Point guard Dejounte Murray: Leg (OUT) until early January.
Boston Celtics at New Orleans Pelicans Pick
Spread Pick for Celtics vs. Pelicans
- New Orleans Pelicans to cover (5 units)
There is a bit of a difference between these teams when diving into the net ratings this season, as the Pelicans are 21st in the NBA with a -3.1 net rating, while the Celtics are 24th with a -6.3 net rating up to this point. The Celtics are also going to be unable to get too many stops as they do not have the bodies that can limit what players like Zion Williamson can do in the paint. There is also a gap in terms of the ability to grab rebounds so far this season, as Boston is 29th with a 44.2 total rebounding rate while New Orleans is 22nd with a 47.9 total rebounding percentage entering Monday’s game. All in all, go with the New Orleans Pelicans to cover the spread.
Over/Under Pick for Celtics vs. Pelicans
- OVER (4 units)
The defensive ratings have not been able to show that these teams can get stops, as the Celtics are 17th with a 115.0 defensive rating, while the Pelicans are a few spots ahead of them in 15th with a 114.8 defensive rating up to this point. Both sides have been able to corral their own misses and get second-chance points as New Orleans is scoring 19.5 second-chance points per game while Boston is scoring 12.0 points per game in those opportunities. The over hit in two of the Celtics' first three games as well as in the first two Pelicans games, so go with the OVER here.
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