Game ID: 22400542
New Orleans Pelicans @ Boston Celtics
Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM ET
TD Garden, Boston, MA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
BOS 29 33 28 30 120NOP 35 26 27 31 119
BOS vs NOP ScoutingBOS vs NOP Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
BOS availability going into 1/03 · back-to-backOUT Porziņģis missed 4 since 12/27, returns tonight: 28 min (101% of 27)
OUT Scheierman missed 13 since 12/04, out tonight
BACK Holiday back 12/31 after 3, 32 min since (104% of 31)
BACK Queta back 12/25 after 2, 12 min since (94% of 13)
BOS availability going into 1/05 · 1 day's restOUT Brown missed 2 since 1/02, returns tonight: 40 min (114% of 35)
OUT Scheierman missed 14 since 12/04, out tonight
BACK Holiday back 12/31 after 3, 31 min since (99% of 31)
BACK Porziņģis back 1/03 after 4, 28 min since (101% of 27)
BOS availability going into 1/07 · 1 day's restOUT Scheierman missed 15 since 12/04, out tonight
BACK Brown back 1/05 after 2, 40 min since (114% of 35)
BACK Holiday back 12/31 after 3, 31 min since (102% of 31)
BACK Porziņģis back 1/03 after 4, 28 min since (105% of 27)
BOS availability going into 1/10 · 2 days' restOUT Scheierman missed 16 since 12/04, out tonight
BACK Brown back 1/05 after 2, 39 min since (113% of 35)
BACK Holiday back 12/31 after 3, 32 min since (102% of 31)
BACK Porziņģis back 1/03 after 4, 30 min since (112% of 27)
BOS availability going into 1/12 · 1 day's restOUT Scheierman missed 17 since 12/04, out tonight
BACK Brown back 1/05 after 2, 38 min since (109% of 35)
BACK Porziņģis back 1/03 after 4, 30 min since (110% of 27)
BOS availability going into 1/15 · 2 days' restOUT Scheierman missed 18 since 12/04, out tonight
BACK Brown back 1/05 after 2, 38 min since (110% of 35)
BACK Porziņģis back 1/03 after 4, 31 min since (113% of 27)
BOS availability going into 1/17 · 1 day's restOUT Scheierman missed 19 since 12/04, returns tonight: 4 min (34% of 12)
BACK Brown back 1/05 after 2, 37 min since (107% of 35)
NEW Porziņģis 27 to 32 min over the last 5
BOS availability going into 1/18 · back-to-backBACK Scheierman back 1/17 after 19, 4 min since (34% of 12)
BOS availability going into 1/20 · 1 day's restBACK Scheierman back 1/17 after 19, 4 min since (34% of 12)
NOP availability going into 1/05 · 1 day's restOUT Williamson missed 26 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 13 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 14 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Reeves missed 4 since 12/27, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 8 since 12/19, out tonight
BACK Alvarado back 1/03 after 23, 20 min since (81% of 24)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/03 after 2, 3 min since (15% of 19)
NOP availability going into 1/07 · 1 day's restOUT Williamson missed 27 since 11/08, returns tonight: 28 min (97% of 29)
OUT Green missed 2 since 1/03, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 14 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 15 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Reeves missed 5 since 12/27, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 9 since 12/19, out tonight
BACK Alvarado back 1/03 after 23, 16 min since (66% of 24)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/03 after 2, 7 min since (35% of 19)
NOP availability going into 1/08 · back-to-backOUT Green missed 3 since 1/03, returns tonight: 29 min (132% of 22)
OUT Payton missed 15 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 16 since 12/02, returns tonight: 6 min (32% of 19)
OUT Reeves missed 6 since 12/27, returns tonight: 6 min (40% of 15)
OUT Cain missed 10 since 12/19, out tonight
BACK Williamson back 1/07 after 27, 28 min since (97% of 29)
BACK Alvarado back 1/03 after 23, 17 min since (71% of 24)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/03 after 2, 11 min since (61% of 19)
NOP availability going into 1/10 · 1 day's restOUT Murphy III missed 2 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 16 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 11 since 12/19, out tonight
BACK Williamson back 1/07 after 27, 28 min since (97% of 29)
BACK Alvarado back 1/03 after 23, 18 min since (74% of 24)
BACK Green back 1/08 after 3, 29 min since (132% of 22)
BACK Matković back 1/08 after 16, 6 min since (32% of 19)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/03 after 2, 14 min since (72% of 19)
BACK Reeves back 1/08 after 6, 6 min since (40% of 15)
NOP availability going into 1/12 · 1 day's restOUT Murphy III missed 3 since 1/07, returns tonight: 39 min (111% of 35)
OUT Williamson missed 2 since 1/08, returns tonight: 28 min (98% of 29)
OUT Payton missed 17 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 12 since 12/19, out tonight
BACK Alvarado back 1/03 after 23, 19 min since (78% of 24)
BACK Green back 1/08 after 3, 27 min since (125% of 22)
BACK Matković back 1/08 after 16, 6 min since (32% of 19)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/03 after 2, 15 min since (81% of 19)
BACK Reeves back 1/08 after 6, 6 min since (40% of 15)
NOP availability going into 1/14 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 2 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 18 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 2 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Reeves missed 2 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 13 since 12/19, out tonight
BACK Murphy III back 1/12 after 3, 39 min since (111% of 35)
BACK Williamson back 1/07 after 27, 28 min since (98% of 29)
BACK Green back 1/08 after 3, 25 min since (113% of 22)
NOP availability going into 1/15 · back-to-backOUT Jones missed 3 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 19 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 3 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Robinson-Earl missed 2 since 1/12, returns tonight: 9 min (48% of 19)
OUT Reeves missed 3 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 14 since 12/19, out tonight
BACK Murphy III back 1/12 after 3, 38 min since (108% of 35)
BACK Williamson back 1/07 after 27, 27 min since (93% of 29)
BACK Green back 1/08 after 3, 26 min since (117% of 22)
NOP availability going into 1/17 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 4 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 20 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 4 since 1/10, returns tonight: 4 min (23% of 19)
OUT Reeves missed 4 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 15 since 12/19, returns tonight: 2 min (18% of 14)
BACK Murphy III back 1/12 after 3, 38 min since (109% of 35)
BACK Williamson back 1/12 after 2, 26 min since (91% of 29)
BACK Green back 1/08 after 3, 26 min since (119% of 22)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/15 after 2, 9 min since (48% of 19)
NOP availability going into 1/20 · 2 days' restOUT Jones missed 5 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 21 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Reeves missed 5 since 1/10, out tonight
BACK Murphy III back 1/12 after 3, 38 min since (108% of 35)
BACK Williamson back 1/12 after 2, 25 min since (87% of 29)
BACK Matković back 1/17 after 4, 4 min since (23% of 19)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/15 after 2, 15 min since (78% of 19)
BACK Cain back 1/17 after 15, 2 min since (18% of 14)
NEW Theis 16 to 22 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Boston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 105, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 18 free throws a game; Tatum at 25 and Brown at 21 a game. One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 111, shooting 44 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; McCollum at 28 and Murray at 18 a game. Without Murphy III (3 straight), Williamson (2 straight), Payton (17 straight). One day's rest.
So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the arc, New Orleans at 38 percent from three to Boston's 33 and the defense, Boston allowing 105 a night to New Orleans's 111. Call it Boston 115, New Orleans 107.
1/03 @ HOU 109-86 — BOS notes
BOS won 109-86. BOS shot 51% (39 of 77) to HOU's 36%, 19 of 39 from three, and went to the line 18 times to HOU's 12 — 12 points from the stripe to their 12. White led with 23 (8 of 16, 6 of 12 from three); Tatum added 20, Pritchard 20. The hinge was Q4, 27-14: a lead of 10 became 23, and the lead reached 28. White was the night's best plus/minus at +27.
1/05 @ OKC 92-105 — BOS notes
BOS lost 92-105. BOS shot 36% (31 of 85) to OKC's 45%, 9 of 46 from three, and went to the line 24 times to OKC's 13 — 21 points from the stripe to their 11. Tatum led with 26 (7 of 17, 2 of 6 from three, 10 of 12 at the line); Brown added 21, Porziņģis 19. Q2 was theirs, 30-23, but the other 3 periods went 82-62 against them. They led by as many as 13. Porziņģis's -17 in 29 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/07 @ DEN 118-106 — BOS notes
BOS won 118-106. BOS shot 50% (44 of 88) to DEN's 46%, 12 of 35 from three. BOS turned it over 11 times to DEN's 16. Tatum led with 29 (11 of 23, 1 of 9 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Porziņģis added 25, Holiday 19. The hinge was Q1, 37-25: from level to 12 ahead, and the lead reached 15. Tatum was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
1/10 vs SAC 97-114 — BOS notes
BOS lost 97-114. BOS shot 40% (34 of 84) to SAC's 43%, 11 of 41 from three, and went to the line 22 times to SAC's 9 — 18 points from the stripe to their 8. BOS turned it over 15 times to SAC's 9, and SAC turned those into 11 steals. The glass went 43-56 against them. Brown led with 28 (9 of 19, 1 of 5 from three, 9 of 11 at the line); Porziņģis added 22, Tatum 15. Q2 was theirs, 28-19, turning a 7-point deficit into a 2-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 95-69 against them. Holiday's -18 in 28 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/12 vs NOP 120-119 — BOS notes
BOS won 120-119. BOS shot 44% (44 of 101) to NOP's 47%, 13 of 44 from three. The glass went 55-42 for them. Tatum led with 38 (14 of 30, 2 of 10 from three, 8 of 10 at the line); Porziņģis added 19, Brown 16. The hinge was Q2, 33-26: BOS came in trailing by 6 and left it ahead by 1. Kornet was the night's best plus/minus at +13.
1/15 @ TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Toronto comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 119, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 18 free throws a game; Barnes at 20 and Barrett at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Mogbo (4 straight), Lawson (7 straight), Battle (6 straight). One day's rest. Boston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 106, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 21 free throws a game; Tatum at 26 and Brown at 20 a game. 2 days' rest.
So: Boston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Boston allowing 106 a night to Toronto's 119 and the glass, where Boston has been plus-2 a night and Toronto minus-6. Call it Boston 115, Toronto 110.
1/17 vs ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Boston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 111, shooting 42 percent and 29 from three, 21 free throws a game; Tatum at 25 and Porziņģis at 21 a game. One day's rest. Orlando comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 99 a night and allowing 106, shooting 42 percent and 29 from three, 22 free throws a game; Banchero at 25 and Anthony at 18 a game. Without Wagner (17 straight), Suggs (6 straight), Harris (7 straight). One day's rest.
So: Boston wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Boston 109, Orlando 105, Orlando keeping it close.
1/18 vs ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Boston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 109, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Tatum at 26 and Porziņģis at 21 a game. Second night of a back-to-back. Atlanta comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 117, shooting 45 percent and 38 from three, 19 free throws a game; Young at 27 and Hunter at 16 a game. Without Johnson (5 straight), Hunter (2 straight), Nance Jr. (8 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the defense, Boston allowing 109 a night to Atlanta's 117 and the arc, Atlanta at 38 percent from three to Boston's 34. Call it Boston 117, Atlanta 111.
1/20 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 109, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; Curry at 25 and Wiggins at 25 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Podziemski (10 straight), Kuminga (7 straight), Post (3 straight). One day's rest. Boston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 111, shooting 43 percent and 33 from three, 22 free throws a game; Tatum at 24 and Porziņģis at 20 a game. One day's rest.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Golden State has been plus-4 a night and Boston minus-2. Call it Golden State 112, Boston 111, Boston keeping it close.
1/05 @ WAS 110-98 — NOP notes
NOP won 110-98. NOP shot 41% (37 of 90) to WAS's 43%, 18 of 49 from three, and went to the line 20 times to WAS's 14 — 18 points from the stripe to their 11. McCollum led with 25 (9 of 18, 6 of 11 from three); Murphy III added 22, Missi 16. The hinge was Q1, 33-22: from level to 11 ahead, and the lead reached 21. Murphy III was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
1/07 vs MIN 97-104 — NOP notes
NOP lost 97-104. NOP shot 37% (35 of 94) to MIN's 43%, 12 of 41 from three. Murray led with 29 (12 of 20, 2 of 8 from three, 3 of 6 at the line); Williamson added 22, Alvarado 13. Q2 was theirs, 21-20, the deficit cut from 1 to 0, but the other 3 periods went 84-76 against them. McCollum's -15 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/08 vs POR 100-119 — NOP notes
NOP lost 100-119. NOP shot 44% (40 of 90) to POR's 55%, 12 of 37 from three. McCollum led with 23 (10 of 17, 3 of 7 from three); Murray added 20, Hawkins 10. Q3 was theirs, 34-23, the deficit cut from 33 to 22, but the other 3 periods went 96-66 against them. Murray's -27 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/10 @ PHI 123-115 — NOP notes
NOP won 123-115. NOP shot 48% (44 of 91) to PHI's 46%, 18 of 40 from three, and went to the line 26 times to PHI's 19 — 17 points from the stripe to their 17. McCollum led with 38 (13 of 24, 6 of 11 from three, 6 of 11 at the line); Hawkins added 21, Murray 17. The hinge was Q1, 28-24: from level to 4 ahead, and the lead reached 16. Alvarado was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
1/12 @ BOS 119-120 — NOP notes
NOP lost 119-120. NOP shot 47% (40 of 86) to BOS's 44%, 17 of 37 from three. The glass went 42-55 against them. Murphy III led with 30 (10 of 17, 5 of 10 from three); Murray added 26, Williamson 16. Q1 was theirs, 35-29, but the other 3 periods went 91-84 against them. They led by as many as 11. Hawkins's -10 in 13 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/14 @ CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Chicago comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 119, shooting 50 percent and 44 from three, 17 free throws a game; LaVine at 34 and White at 22 a game. Without Dosunmu (9 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 111, shooting 43 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; Murray at 21 and McCollum at 21 a game. Without Jones (2 straight), Payton (18 straight), Matković (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Chicago wins, and the game turns on the arc, Chicago at 44 percent from three to New Orleans's 38 and the defense, New Orleans allowing 111 a night to Chicago's 119. Call it Chicago 119, New Orleans 113.
1/15 vs DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 114, shooting 44 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murray at 21 and Williamson at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Jones (3 straight), Payton (19 straight), Robinson-Earl (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Dallas comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 111, shooting 44 percent and 36 from three, 21 free throws a game; Washington at 15 and Dinwiddie at 13 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Edwards (7 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: New Orleans wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it New Orleans 113, Dallas 112, Dallas keeping it close.
1/17 vs UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 117, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murphy III at 29 and Murray at 22 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Jones (4 straight), Payton (20 straight), Matković (4 straight). One day's rest. Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 113, shooting 43 percent and 34 from three, 19 free throws a game; Markkanen at 27 and Sexton at 22 a game. Without Markkanen (2 straight), Collins (6 straight), Clarkson (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: New Orleans wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it New Orleans 115, Utah 112, Utah keeping it close.
1/20 vs UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 39 from three, 27 free throws a game; Murphy III at 26 and Williamson at 20 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Jones (5 straight), Payton (21 straight), Reeves (5 straight). 2 days' rest. Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 115, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 20 free throws a game; Sexton at 22 and Sensabaugh at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Markkanen (3 straight), Collins (7 straight), Clarkson (7 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the arc, New Orleans at 39 percent from three to Utah's 33 and the line, where New Orleans takes 27 free throws a game to Utah's 20. Call it New Orleans 118, Utah 112.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
BOSAH A. Horford
DW D. White
JB J. Brown
JH J. Holiday
JT J. Tatum
KP K. Porziņģis
LK L. Kornet
PP P. Pritchard
PO Porzingis
SH S. Hauser
NOPBB B. Boston
CM C. McCollum
DM D. Murray
DT D. Theis
JA J. Alvarado
JG J. Green
JH J. Hawkins
TM T. Murphy III
YM Y. Missi
ZW Z. Williamson
BOS/NOP the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Celtics withstand return of Zion Williamson and beat Pelicans 120-119
BOSTON -- — Jayson Tatum scored 38 points with 11 rebounds and Kristaps Porzingis had 19 points and 11 boards on Sunday as the Boston Celtics overcame the return of Zion Williamson to the New Orleans lineup and beat the Pelicans 120-119.
Trey Murphy III scored 30 points and Williamson scored 16 in his return from a one-game suspension for being late to team activities. The 2019 draft lottery prize also had seven rebounds in 28 minutes.
New Orleans led by as many as 11 points in the first quarter, taking advantage when the Celtics made just one of their first 11 3-point attempts. Boston finished 13 for 44 from long distance and shot just 43.6% overall from the floor.
The Takeaways Pelicans: The Pelicans can be competitive with Williamson on the floor, but injuries and a one-game suspension have limited him to just eight of the team’s first 40 games.
Celtics: The defending NBA champions avoided a loss to one of the NBA's worst teams and improved to 7-6 in their last 13 games.
Key moment With seven seconds left, Boston had the ball with a one-point lead. Derrick White wasn't able to inbound the ball; he tried to call a timeout but was whistled for a 5 second violation. The Pelicans got the ball to McCollum, who drove to the basket but missed the contested layup and the rebound was swatted away as time expired.
Key stat Dejounte Murray scored 17 points in the first two quarters minutes and finished with 26 points to go with nine rebounds and eight assists.
Up next The Pelicans visit the Bulls on Tuesday and the Celtics are at Toronto on Wednesday.