PREVIEW: The Boston Celtics will host the New Orleans Pelicans at TD Garden , a matchup that pits one of the league's elite two-way operations against a squad fighting to stay competitive despite mounting injuries. Boston sits in second place in the Eastern Conference with a 27-11 record, while New Orleans occupies the basement of the West at 8-31 . The Celtics' offensive system showcases efficient transition play and high spacing, ranking second in both categories , giving them multiple avenues to generate clean looks and control tempo. Meanwhile, the Pelicans lean on high-frequency attacking at the rim and aggressive defensive pressure, though their three-point shooting efficiency ranks near the bottom of the league , creating an inconsistent offensive profile. New Orleans recently posted a 123-115 road victory over Philadelphia, with CJ McCollum delivering 38 points and the bench combining for 36 points. Boston, meanwhile, suffered a 114-97 home loss to Sacramento despite Jalen Brown's 28 points, with 15 turnovers leading to a fourth-quarter collapse where the Kings outscored them 38-21. The Celtics' weakness on defensive rebounding and the Pelicans' tendency to allow excessive three-point attempts create an interesting dynamic , as Boston's defensive prowess will face a team capable of getting hot from beyond the arc on any given night. New Orleans comes in severely depleted, sitting 3-15 on the road , setting up a critical test for whether the Celtics can establish dominance at home after a disappointing performance in their last outing.