Final: Celtics 118, Pelicans 112 - White catches fire, C's recover from rough start

BOSTON CELTICS vs. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS

7:30 p.m.

Line: Boston -9.5

INJURIES

Boston: Kristaps Porzingis (QUESTIONABLE, ankle), Al Horford (QUESTIONABLE, neck), Luke Kornet (DOUBTFUL, hamstring)

Pelicans: None

NOTES

- The Pelicans have lost their last two games by 24 points apiece

THINGS I’M LOOKING FOR

1. Keep Brandon Ingram in the midrange: The Pelicans are still struggling to find the right mix offensively, partly because Ingram is living in the midrange. He’s reluctant to take 3-pointers, so he’ll gladly run off the line if he’s challenged, so do so under control. Make sure the rim is protected and he’ll take the long-two. Not only is he not really efficient with those shots, it takes Zion Williamson out of the offense. 

2. Point Zion: This is his most dangerous spot. Willamson with the ball surrounded by shooters is a recipe for problems, but they don’t go to it as often as they should. Part of the issue is that Ingram wants the ball in his hands to create, so the Celtics might want to really deny Williamson and hope he willingly removes himself from the play. 

3. Good reads: Making the right reads on time all the time is tough in the NBA, especially if fatigue is starting to creep in. They need to be better on their rim reads than they were against the Clippers, where they passed up shots they should have taken, and took shots they should have passed out of. 

Follow along with my thoughts as the game goes on. They’ll show up below and in the comments section, so hop in and share your opinion as well.