The Celtics look to right themselves Saturday night when they welcome the New Orleans Pelicans to TD Garden. Boston has lost three in a row for the first time this season and has just one win in the new year.
The Pels (14-25), still without No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson (knee surgery), appear to offer just what the C's need, but come in having won two in a row - including a 129-111 win in New York over the Knicks on Friday night - and three of their past four.
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The C's in their skid have had a tendency to play down to sub .500 teams (see losses to San Antonio and Washington and a close home win over Atlanta).
Here's a look at the betting plays for the matchup at TD Garden.
(All odds provided by WestGate Superbook.)
Boston Celtics
New Orleans Hornets at Boston Celtics, 7 p.m., ET
Moneyline: If the Celtics drop their fourth in a row - and see another Western Conference also-ran come in and hand them a second consecutive loss on the Garden floor (San Antonio did it Wednesday night) - what has been a mild panic will become a full-blown crisis. Homecourt, health and rest advantages (New Orleans is on its second night of a back-to-back on the road) favor Boston (-600). Look for the C's to snap their slide...
Point spread: ...but it won't be easy. The Celtics are 10-point favorites, but have failed to cover in four consecutive home games and four of their past five overall. The Pelicans come in 5-0-1 against the spread in their past six. Look for New Orleans (+10 ) to make this one competitive.
Over/Under: The Celtics are second in the NBA in average points allowed (104.4) and their offense has had its struggles in their losing streak, in which the C's failed to reach 100 points in two of the three losses. Coming in banged up (Derek Favors, J.J. Redick out and Jrue Holiday doubtful) and off a back-to-back, don't expect the Pelicans, who average 116.6 points, to match that kind of output. The UNDER (225) looks to be the play.
Pat's record, pinch-hitting for Darren Hartwell, picking the Celtics' moneyline, point spread and point total: 6-6
NBA Locks
Cleveland Cavaliers at Denver Nuggets (-12.5), 9 p.m.: A tale of two big men. The Nuggets (15-4 at home) have won two in a row with Nikola Jokic going for 47 and 33 points in those wins. The Cavs (5-13 on the road) have lost five of their past six and Kevin Love is sulking.
Philadelphia 76ers at Dallas Mavericks (-2), 8:30 p.m.: The 76ers have won two in a row, including beating the Celtics without Joel Embiid, but his absence is bound to catch up with them vs. a tough opponent on the road, where Philly is 0-3-1 against the spread in its past four.
Pat's record, pinch-hitting for Darren, picking NBA locks: 4-4
Don't miss NBC Sports Boston's coverage of Pelicans-Celtics, which tips off Saturday at 6:30 p.m. with Celtics Pregame Live, and then Mike and Scal have the call at 7 p.m. You can also stream the game on the MyTeams App.