Boston @ New Orleans preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 16, 2018 ) New Orleans 116, Boston 113

The Boston Celtics got back one of several injured players while snapping a two-game slide in Orlando, but they figure to remain short-handed when they visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. Kyrie Irving (knee) has missed two straight contests while fellow starting guard Jaylen Brown (concussion) has no timetable for a return, and with the Celtics comfortably in second place in the Eastern Conference, there is no rush for either player to come back.

All-Star Al Horford did manage to return from an illness to produce 15 points and nine rebounds in Friday's 92-83 win over the Magic as Boston won its third straight on the road. "It wasn't pretty," Celtics coach Brad Stevens told reporters after his team held Orlando to 39.1 percent shooting. "We obviously didn't make a ton of shots, but our defense was pretty darn good." Despite receiving 26 points and 13 rebounds from Anthony Davis, the Pelicans dropped a 107-101 home decision to Houston on Saturday and remain in a tight eight-team race for six playoff spots in the Western Conference. Davis scored 45 points to lead New Orleans to a 116-113 overtime triumph at Boston on Jan. 16, evening the all-time series at 17 wins apiece.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, NBCS Boston, FS New Orleans

ABOUT THE CELTICS (47-22): Terry Rozier has made the most of his opportunities when Irving has been out this season and is averaging 19.4 points in five starts after scoring 17 at Orlando. "I'm just not even thinking about it," Rozier told reporters. "I'm going out there and having a lot of fun and just playing the right way. My coaches and my teammates do a great job of just giving me that confidence and letting me build off of it." Shane Larkin also has seen his playing time increase with Irving out and is averaging 10.5 points while making 3-of-4 3-pointers over his last two games.

ABOUT THE PELICANS (39-30): Alvin Gentry became the latest coach to criticize the officiating after railing against the referees following Saturday's loss - particularly as it relates to Davis, who attempted just four free throws in 36 minutes. "AD, he never gets a call," Gentry told reporters. "You know why? Because he doesn't (moan) and complain about it ... You can't guess on plays when teams are playing for playoff spots." Gentry chose to rest point guard Rajon Rondo, who registered 17 assists and five steals against Charlotte on Tuesday, in the opener of New Orleans' back-to-back set.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Celtics C Greg Monroe has averaged 16.5 points over his last two contests while making 14-of-17 shots.

2. Davis has recorded at least a double-double in 10 of his last 11 games.

3. Boston rookie SF Abdel Nader has scored in double digits in each of his last two games after doing so just once in his first 33 contests.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 109, Celtics 108