Opinion
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Showdown at TD Garden: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Boston Celtics

As the New Orleans Pelicans prepare to face off against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden, fans are buzzing with anticipation. The upcoming game on January 29 promises to be a thrilling encounter, and based on recent performances, the Pelicans have reasons for cautious optimism.


NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 12: CJ McCollum #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives to the basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2023 Play-In Tournament on April 12, 2023 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)

The Pelicans' last few games have been a rollercoaster of results. On December 24, they narrowly lost to the Houston Rockets by two points in a game that saw them lead for over 18 minutes. Despite this loss, there were positive takeaways; notably their ability to draw fouls and capitalize on second-chance points. However, turnovers were an issue as they gave up possession 16 times.


In contrast, their performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 22 was nothing short of dominant. They led for an impressive 45 minutes and secured a comfortable win with a score of 123-104. Their offensive efficiency was through the roof with an offensive rating of over 129 and an effective field goal percentage of over 63 percent.


However, it's their most recent match-up against the Memphis Grizzlies that might give fans pause when considering their chances against Boston. Although they had moments where they shined – leading by as much as 24 points – they ultimately fell short by two points again in a high-scoring affair.


The key takeaway from these games is inconsistency; NOP has shown both brilliance and vulnerability within days of each other. Their offense can be explosive but is sometimes marred by turnovers and defensive lapses.


Looking ahead to Boston Celtics' home court advantage at TD Garden could pose additional challenges for NOP. The Celtics are known for their strong defense and will likely exploit any weaknesses in ball handling or shot selection that NOP has previously displayed.


To secure victory in Boston, NOP must focus on maintaining possession and capitalizing on scoring opportunities inside the paint where they've shown strength throughout these past games. They'll also need to tighten up defensively to contain Boston's shooters who can quickly turn a game around if given space beyond the arc.


NOP fans should look forward to seeing how coach Willie Green addresses these issues before stepping onto one of NBA's most storied courts later this month.


Mark your calendars: The New Orleans Pelicans will battle it out with the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on January 29th at 7:30 PM ET (6:30 PM CT). Fans can catch all the action live on NBCS-BOS channel number 630 or BSNO channel number 676-4 depending upon your location.

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