The New Orleans Pelicans travel to TD Garden on Friday night to face the Boston Celtics in a regular season matchup that features two teams in very different positions in the standings. Boston has already secured its place among the top teams in the Eastern Conference and is preparing for the upcoming playoffs, while New Orleans is finishing a difficult season and evaluating its younger roster. Even though the Celtics enter the game as heavy favorites, the Pelicans still have opportunities to compete offensively and test Boston’s defense. The Celtics have been one of the most balanced teams in the league this season with elite defense and efficient scoring, while the Pelicans have struggled with consistency, especially on the road. This matchup brings together Boston’s strong home performance and New Orleans’ high-tempo offense, which could create an entertaining game with plenty of scoring opportunities despite the difference in standings.
Match Information
| Match | New Orleans Pelicans vs Boston Celtics |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday, April 10, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM ET |
| Venue | TD Garden |
| Location | Boston, Massachusetts |
| TV Broadcast | NBCS-BOS, Gulf Coast Sports, Pelicans+ |
Team Records
| Team | Record | Conference Position |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | 54–26 | Top contender in East |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 26–54 | Lower half of West |
Boston enters the game with strong momentum as one of the league’s top defensive teams, while New Orleans continues to rebuild and develop its younger players.
Pelicans vs Celtics Preview
The Boston Celtics have built their season around defense, rebounding, and efficient perimeter shooting. They allow one of the lowest point totals in the league and consistently control the boards. Their ability to stretch the floor with three-point shooting makes them dangerous against teams that struggle defensively.
Boston’s offense is led by multiple scoring options, with Payton Pritchard contributing strong scoring and playmaking, while Derrick White provides additional offense and defensive stability. In the frontcourt, Neemias Queta has been important in rebounding and rim protection.
New Orleans approaches games with a faster pace and relies heavily on offensive production. The Pelicans can score in bursts but often struggle defensively, especially against strong shooting teams. Saddiq Bey has been a key offensive contributor for the Pelicans this season, while Derik Queen provides rebounding and inside scoring.
Although the Pelicans recently had a strong offensive game against Utah, consistency remains a challenge for them, particularly when playing on the road against elite opponents.
Recent Form
Boston Celtics Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 10 | Knicks | L |
| Apr 8 | Hornets | W |
| Apr 6 | Raptors | W |
| Apr 4 | Bucks | W |
| Apr 2 | Heat | W |
Boston has won four of its last five games and continues to perform strongly on both ends of the floor.
New Orleans Pelicans Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 8 | Jazz | W |
| Apr 6 | Magic | L |
| Apr 4 | Kings | L |
| Apr 3 | Trail Blazers | L |
| Mar 30 | Rockets | L |
The Pelicans have struggled recently but showed offensive potential in their latest victory.
Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| Total Meetings | 37 |
| Celtics Wins | 22 |
| Pelicans Wins | 15 |
| Recent Trend | Celtics won last 9 meetings |
Boston has dominated the recent head-to-head matchups between these teams.
Injury Report
Boston Celtics
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Jaylen Brown | Questionable |
Boston may rotate players as they prepare for the playoffs.
New Orleans Pelicans
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Trey Murphy | Out |
| Dejounte Murray | Out |
| Karlo Matkovic | Out |
| Yves Missi | Questionable |
The Pelicans continue to deal with several injuries affecting their rotation.
Probable Starting Lineups
Boston Celtics
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| PG | Derrick White |
| SG | Jaylen Brown |
| SF | Jayson Tatum |
| PF | Sam Hauser |
| C | Neemias Queta |
New Orleans Pelicans
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| PG | Jeremiah Fears |
| SG | Jordan Poole |
| SF | Saddiq Bey |
| PF | Zion Williamson |
| C | Kevon Looney |
Key Players to Watch
Boston Celtics
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Payton Pritchard | Leading scorer and perimeter shooter |
| Derrick White | Playmaking and defense |
| Neemias Queta | Rebounding and rim protection |
Boston’s depth and defensive strength remain major advantages.
New Orleans Pelicans
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Saddiq Bey | Primary scoring option |
| Derik Queen | Rebounding leader |
| Jeremiah Fears | Playmaking and steals |
Young players continue to gain experience for New Orleans late in the season.
Team Performance Comparison
| Category | Celtics | Pelicans |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 114.5 | 115.4 |
| Points Allowed | 107.0 | 119.6 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 46.4 | 43.8 |
| Three Pointers Per Game | 15.3 | 11.3 |
Boston’s defensive efficiency and rebounding advantage could be key factors in the game.
Betting Odds
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Spread | Celtics -16.5 |
| Spread | Pelicans +16.5 |
| Moneyline | Celtics -1351 |
| Moneyline | Pelicans +810 |
| Total | 223.5 |
Boston enters the matchup as a heavy favorite due to its overall team strength and home advantage.
Best Player Prop Pick
| Player | Prop Bet |
|---|---|
| Saddiq Bey | Over Points |
Bey has been one of the Pelicans’ most reliable scoring options this season.
Best Picks for the Game
| Market | Pick |
|---|---|
| Spread | Pelicans +16.5 |
| Total | Over 223.5 |
| Player Prop | Bey Over Points |
Even though Boston is favored, the Pelicans could keep the score close enough to cover the large spread.
Predicted Score
| Team | Predicted Score |
|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | 122 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 106 |
Final Prediction
Friday’s matchup between the Celtics and Pelicans features a clear contrast between a playoff contender and a rebuilding team. Boston has been dominant throughout the season with strong defense and balanced scoring, while New Orleans continues to focus on developing its roster and gaining experience.
The Celtics should control the game through their rebounding advantage and efficient three-point shooting. However, New Orleans has shown the ability to score quickly when their offense is flowing, which could lead to a higher scoring contest.
While Boston is expected to secure the win at home, the Pelicans’ offensive potential and the large point spread could allow them to stay competitive enough to cover. Overall, the matchup projects to be an entertaining game with strong offensive production from both teams.
Add as a preferred source on Google
