The Boston Celtics (54-26) and New Orleans Pelicans (26-54) will clash in the NBA on Friday night. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The game will be broadcast live on NBCS-BOS.
The Celtics are 16.5-point favorites over the Pelicans on the spread (Celtics -16.5), with the over/under set at 226.5 total points. Boston is a -1600 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while New Orleans is +900 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into our Pelicans vs. Celtics predictions and NBA picks for Friday, April 10.
Pelicans vs Celtics Predictions
- Pelicans vs Celtics pick: Over 226.5 (-110)
Our Celtics vs. Pelicans best bet is on the game to go over 226.5 total points. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Pelicans vs Celtics Odds
| Pelicans Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+16.5 -108 | 226.5 -115o / -105u | +900 |
| Celtics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-16.5 -112 | 226.5 -115o / -105u | -1600 |
New Orleans Pelicans vs Boston Celtics NBA Preview
The Celtics welcome the Pelicans to TD Garden this Friday night in a matchup featuring two teams at opposite ends of the standings.
While Boston has already cemented itself as a powerhouse going to the playoffs, the Pelicans are finishing out a difficult season defined by injuries and transition.
The Celtics are looking to recalibrate after a 112-106 loss to the Knicks — a game they played without Jaylen Brown. Despite that loss, Boston remains the gold standard for interior defense, leading the NBA by allowing just 107 points per game and holding opponents to 44.1% shooting.
New Orleans arrives in Boston with some momentum following a high-scoring 156-137 win over the Jazz, fueled by a breakout 40-point performance from rookie sensation Jeremiah Fears.
However, the Pelicans have struggled significantly away from home, posting a 9-30 road record and failing to find consistency against elite competition, as evidenced by their 8-41 mark against teams with winning records.
New Orleans will be without Trey Murphy, Dejounte Murray, and Zion Williamson — while key contributors like Herb Jones and Saddiq Bey are listed as questionable.
Pelicans vs Celtics Picks, Betting Predictions
The Celtics have been dominant at TD Garden this year, going 28-11. Tonight, they will look to exploit a Pelicans perimeter defense that ranks 25th in assists allowed, likely finding plenty of open looks for Payton Pritchard — who led the way with 18 points in their previous 122-90 victory over New Orleans in October.
All signs point to this game going over 226.5 points, which fits our Bet Labs system titled "Bad Road Overs." This NBA totals system highlights teams that start a road trip after a poor stretch of play, both straight up and against the spread.
The logic is that a change of scenery provides a mental reset, allowing struggling teams to play with a "nothing to lose" intensity that often leads to higher-scoring affairs than the public expects.
The Pelicans have lost seven consecutive road games and have frequently failed to cover, making them a prime candidate for this rebound effect. While Boston’s defense is elite, the Pelicans' lack of depth due to injuries often leads to defensive breakdowns and a faster, more chaotic pace.
Between the Pelicans’ motivation to showcase their young talent and the Celtics' ability to put up massive numbers against bottom-tier defenses, the value lies with the over in this spot.
Pelicans vs Celtics Best Bet
- Over 226.5 (-110)
Pelicans vs Celtics Betting Trends
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