Celtics – Pelicans Preview: Boston’s Match-up From Hell

Mar 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) celebrates with guard

(25) during the fourth quarter of a game against the Boston Celtics at the Smoothie King Center.The Pelicans defeated the Celtics 121-120 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

My Prediction

Let’s give the Boston Celtics a little love: amidst all of the trades and uncertainty, the ever-changing roster and the shuffled lineups, the Cs have managed to hang tight in an awful lot of games that probably should have been double-digit blowouts.   I remember watching Boston trying to rally against Toronto Saturday evening, thinking, “How the hell is this team even within striking distance?”

Moral victories aside, however, the Celtics are now officially at a disadvantage everywhere you look on the court.  All the hustle and determination in the world cannot make up for the fact that Boston loses the talent battle at each and every position.  Add in the fact that the Pelicans are sitting at .500 and are determined to start taking advantage of some of the weak Eastern Conference teams it will see as it begins this five-game road trip, and you have a recipe for a dominating performance by New Orleans.

I give Brad Stevens credit for putting his guys in a position to compete, but unless someone on the Pelicans suffers an injury tonight (seriously, I’m not wishing for this!), I predict a 110-90 loss for the Celtics tonight.

The game tips off at 7:30 and will be shown on NBA TV and Comcast Sports New England tonight.  Follow us @houdiniceltics and check back in with us all day today as we discuss the latest Celtics news and developments!