New Orleans @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 10, 2018 ) New Orleans 100, Boston 113

The Boston Celtics have lost a season-high three consecutive games and look to right the ship as they face three straight teams with losing records at home, starting with a matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night. Boston was routed by San Antonio at home 129-114 on Wednesday before suffering a 109-98 setback on the road against Philadelphia - without injured Joel Embiid - just 24 hours later.

“They just were too comfortable,” Celtics guard Jaylen Brown told the Boston Herald of the team’s defense the last two games. “For whatever reason, guys are a little too comfortable playing against us. We’ve got to watch film, get back in the lab. All is not lost. Just keep watching film and get better and learn from it. Keep working.” Boston coach Brad Stevens told the media his team was more locked in against the 76ers, but could not get enough stops and that will have to change against an improving Pelicans team the Celtics beat twice last season. With last June’s first-overall pick Zion Williamson (knee) closing in on his NBA debut, New Orleans has won eight of its last 11 outings after opening a three-game road trip with a 123-111 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday. Williamson was on the floor working out before the game and Brandon Ingram took the spotlight when the contest began as he finished with 28 points after pouring in 64 combined in the previous two.

TIME: 7 p.m. ET. TV: FS New Orleans, NBCS Boston

ABOUT THE PELICANS (14-25): Ingram, who leads the team in scoring (25.4), has been getting more and more support as New Orleans continues to recover from a shaky 6-22 start to the season. Lonzo Ball recorded his second double-double in four games Friday with 15 points and 11 assists while fellow guard Josh Hart produced his fourth double-double of the season after scoring 13 and adding 10 boards versus the Knicks. Rookie big man Jaxson Hayes has registered back-to-back double-doubles for the first time in his career with 18 points - his highest total since his NBA debut in October - and 10 rebounds in New York.

ABOUT THE CELTICS (25-11): Leading scorer Kemba Walker (22.1) responded with 26 points against Philadelphia and appeared to avoid a thumb injury after being held to eight before he was ejected against San Antonio. “When (Walker) went down, we were worried about ligaments,” Stevens told reporters. Right now, in a lot of ways, it feels like we dodged a bullet.” Forward Jayson Tatum, averaging 20.8 points, registered his fifth double-double of the season after scoring 15 and grabbing 10 boards versus the 76ers while Brown (20.1 points) must rebound from a 2-for-12 shooting performance.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. New Orleans G Jrue Holiday (19.6 points) is questionable after missing the last three games with a strained elbow.

2. Boston G Marcus Smart is averaging 14.4 points in five games this month after pouring in a season-high 24 on Thursday.

3. The Celtics rank second in the league in scoring defense (104.4) and the Pelicans (116.5) are 27th.

PREDICTION: Celtics 114, Pelicans 104