Boston Celtics Overwhelm Anthony Davis, Pelicans, 124-107

Al Horford had his best game of the season and Kyrie Irving notched another double double as the Boston Celtics looked right in a 124-107 win over the New Orleans Pelicans Monday.

With Jaylen Brown sidelined with a back injury he suffered at the end of the loss to Dallas, coach Brad Stevens called on his bench brothers, Marcus Morris and Marcus Smart, to move into the starting lineup with Al Horford, Kyrie Irving, and Jayson Tatum.

Morris and Smart brought a much-needed energy and physical toughness on both ends of the floor to a starting lineup that needed a shot in the arm. The Celtics got off to a 10-2 start, led by Smart’s defense and Morris’ ability to pick on Nikola Mirotic‘s individual defense.

Boston led by 13 points after the first quarter and by as many as 20 as they maintained a comfortable lead the rest of the way, handing the New Orleans Pelicans their fourth loss in a row, 124-107, Monday night at the Smoothie King Center.

For the first time all season, three Celtics scored at least 20 points, led by Kyrie Irving, who scored 26 points to go along with 10 assists. It was Irving’s fourth double double in the last seven games.

Al Horford also nailed three three-pointers and scored a season-high 20 points. He hit two clutch three-pointers in the fourth quarter to help hold off New Orleans.

Tatum added 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals. Morris finished with 19 points, while Smart had 8 points and handed out 5 assists.

Boston improved to 11-10 on the season, while the New Orleans Pelicans dropped to 10-11. Mirotic kept the Pelicans in striking distance at the half, sinking five three-pointers for 18 points. He finished with 25 points and 5 rebounds.

The Celtics stifling defense kept Anthony Davis at bay most of the game, but he ended the game with 27 points ,16 rebounds, and 5 assists. Davis also made 11-of-12 free throws and blocked three shots.

Throughout much of the season, Boson has struggled to contain elite big men in the pick-and-roll. Davis presents an entirely unique challenge, but the Celtics were up to the task Friday. Horford started the game guarding Davis and did a masterful defensive job, with the help of Smart and Morris and plenty of others on the weakside.

Time and again this season, Boston has given up easy lobs to centers like Rudy Gobert and DeAndre Jordan. But nothing came easy for Davis, who made just 8-of-19 field goals and committed five turnovers.

Horford and Tatum had three steals each, while Irving had five. The Celtics forced 22 Pelicans turnovers. Smart did a number on Jrue Holiday, who coughed up the ball eight times.

On the end end, Boston dished out 27 assists on 48 made field goals, and shot 19-for-39 from beyond the arc. Terry Rozier led the Boston bench with 14 points, while Aron Baynes chipped in 7 points and 5 rebounds.

In his third game since coming off the bench, Gordon Hayward attempted only 5 shots and scored 5 points in 23 minutes. He dished out 4 assists as the floor general of the second unit.

Robert Williams III got in the game in garbage time and threw down a nice lob dunk.

After a three-game road trip in which Boston went 2-1, the Celtics will have a few days of rest before a visit from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the TD Garden Friday evening. The Cavaliers are 4-15 on the season, 1-8 on the road.