Game ID: 22400683
Boston Celtics @ New Orleans Pelicans
Friday, January 31, 2025 at 8:00 PM ET
Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
NOP 34 19 33 30 116BOS 31 28 32 27 118
BOS @ NOP ScoutingBOS @ 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.
NOP availability going into 1/24 · 3 days' restOUT Jones missed 6 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Missi missed 2 since 1/17, returns tonight: 30 min (110% of 27)
OUT Boston missed 2 since 1/17, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 22 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Reeves missed 6 since 1/10, out tonight
BACK Murphy III back 1/12 after 3, 39 min since (112% of 35)
BACK Williamson back 1/12 after 2, 25 min since (87% of 29)
BACK Matković back 1/17 after 4, 10 min since (52% of 19)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/15 after 2, 15 min since (79% of 19)
BACK Cain back 1/17 after 15, 2 min since (18% of 14)
NEW Theis 16 to 26 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 1/25 · back-to-backOUT Jones missed 7 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Williamson missed 2 since 1/20, returns tonight: 26 min (92% of 29)
OUT Boston missed 3 since 1/17, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 23 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Reeves missed 7 since 1/10, returns tonight: 12 min (79% of 15)
BACK Missi back 1/24 after 2, 30 min since (110% of 27)
BACK Matković back 1/17 after 4, 7 min since (40% of 19)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/15 after 2, 16 min since (85% of 19)
BACK Cain back 1/17 after 15, 2 min since (18% of 14)
NEW Theis 16 to 25 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 1/27 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 8 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Boston missed 4 since 1/17, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 24 since 12/05, out tonight
BACK Williamson back 1/25 after 2, 26 min since (92% of 29)
BACK Missi back 1/24 after 2, 24 min since (91% of 27)
BACK Matković back 1/17 after 4, 7 min since (37% of 19)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/15 after 2, 15 min since (80% of 19)
BACK Reeves back 1/25 after 7, 12 min since (79% of 15)
BACK Cain back 1/17 after 15, 2 min since (18% of 14)
NEW Theis 16 to 22 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 1/29 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 9 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Boston missed 5 since 1/17, returns tonight: 21 min (89% of 24)
OUT Payton missed 25 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 2 since 1/25, out tonight
BACK Williamson back 1/25 after 2, 27 min since (94% of 29)
BACK Missi back 1/24 after 2, 24 min since (88% of 27)
BACK Matković back 1/17 after 4, 7 min since (37% of 19)
BACK Reeves back 1/25 after 7, 12 min since (79% of 15)
NOP availability going into 1/31 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 10 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 26 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 2 since 1/27, returns tonight: 18 min (97% of 19)
OUT Robinson-Earl missed 2 since 1/27, returns tonight: 13 min (71% of 19)
OUT Reeves missed 2 since 1/27, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 3 since 1/25, returns tonight: 5 min (38% of 14)
BACK Williamson back 1/25 after 2, 27 min since (95% of 29)
BACK Missi back 1/24 after 2, 25 min since (93% of 27)
BACK Boston back 1/29 after 5, 21 min since (89% of 24)
NOP availability going into 2/03 · 2 days' restOUT Jones missed 11 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 2 since 1/29, returns tonight: 14 min (61% of 24)
OUT Payton missed 27 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Reeves missed 3 since 1/27, returns tonight: 4 min (30% of 15)
BACK Williamson back 1/25 after 2, 27 min since (95% of 29)
BACK Missi back 1/24 after 2, 26 min since (97% of 27)
BACK Boston back 1/29 after 5, 25 min since (107% of 24)
BACK Matković back 1/31 after 2, 18 min since (97% of 19)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/31 after 2, 13 min since (71% of 19)
BACK Cain back 1/31 after 3, 5 min since (38% of 14)
NOP availability going into 2/05 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 12 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 28 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Theis missed 2 since 1/31, not on tonight's roster
BACK Williamson back 1/25 after 2, 28 min since (96% of 29)
BACK Boston back 1/29 after 5, 25 min since (107% of 24)
BACK Hawkins back 2/03 after 2, 14 min since (61% of 24)
BACK Matković back 1/31 after 2, 23 min since (120% of 19)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/31 after 2, 11 min since (57% of 19)
BACK Reeves back 1/25 after 7, 8 min since (55% of 15)
BACK Cain back 1/31 after 3, 5 min since (38% of 14)
NOP availability going into 2/08 · 2 days' restOUT Jones missed 13 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Boston missed 2 since 2/03, returns tonight: 15 min (64% of 24)
OUT Payton missed 29 since 12/05, out tonight
BACK Hawkins back 2/03 after 2, 20 min since (83% of 24)
BACK Matković back 1/31 after 2, 25 min since (133% of 19)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/31 after 2, 12 min since (63% of 19)
BACK Reeves back 2/03 after 3, 10 min since (65% of 15)
BACK Cain back 1/31 after 3, 11 min since (82% of 14)
NOP availability going into 2/10 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 14 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 30 since 12/05, out tonight
BACK Boston back 1/29 after 5, 22 min since (93% of 24)
BACK Hawkins back 2/03 after 2, 19 min since (81% of 24)
BACK Matković back 1/31 after 2, 23 min since (122% of 19)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/31 after 2, 12 min since (63% of 19)
BACK Reeves back 2/03 after 3, 11 min since (75% of 15)
BACK Cain back 1/31 after 3, 11 min since (82% of 14)
BOS availability going into 1/23 · back-to-backBACK Scheierman back 1/17 after 19, 5 min since (40% of 12)
BOS availability going into 1/25 · 1 day's restBACK Scheierman back 1/17 after 19, 5 min since (44% of 12)
BOS availability going into 1/27 · 1 day's rest
full strength
BOS availability going into 1/29 · 1 day's restOUT Scheierman missed 2 since 1/25, out tonight
BOS availability going into 1/31 · 1 day's restOUT Horford missed 2 since 1/27, returns tonight: 26 min (90% of 28)
OUT Hauser missed 2 since 1/27, returns tonight: 14 min (69% of 21)
OUT Scheierman missed 3 since 1/25, out tonight
BOS availability going into 2/02 · 1 day's restOUT Scheierman missed 4 since 1/25, out tonight
BACK Horford back 1/31 after 2, 26 min since (90% of 28)
BACK Hauser back 1/31 after 2, 14 min since (69% of 21)
BOS availability going into 2/04 · 1 day's restOUT Queta missed 2 since 1/31, out tonight
OUT Scheierman missed 5 since 1/25, out tonight
BACK Horford back 1/31 after 2, 18 min since (65% of 28)
BACK Hauser back 1/31 after 2, 19 min since (92% of 21)
BOS availability going into 2/06 · 1 day's restOUT Queta missed 3 since 1/31, returns tonight: 10 min (72% of 13)
OUT Scheierman missed 6 since 1/25, out tonight
BACK Horford back 1/31 after 2, 21 min since (75% of 28)
BACK Hauser back 1/31 after 2, 17 min since (82% of 21)
BOS availability going into 2/08 · 1 day's restOUT Scheierman missed 7 since 1/25, returns tonight: 4 min (39% of 12)
BACK Horford back 1/31 after 2, 21 min since (74% of 28)
BACK Hauser back 1/31 after 2, 18 min since (86% of 21)
BACK Queta back 2/06 after 3, 10 min since (72% of 13)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 126, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 28 free throws a game; Williamson at 29 and Murray at 25 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 12 a night. Without Jones (10 straight), Payton (26 straight), Robinson-Earl (2 straight). One day's rest. Boston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 110, shooting 44 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; Brown at 24 and Porziņģis at 23 a game. Without Horford (2 straight), Hauser (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Boston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Boston allowing 110 a night to New Orleans's 126 and the glass, where Boston has been minus-3 a night and New Orleans minus-12. Call it Boston 118, New Orleans 112.
1/24 @ MEM 126-139 — NOP notes
NOP lost 126-139. NOP shot 54% (45 of 83) to MEM's 55%, 14 of 34 from three, and went to the line 32 times to MEM's 8 — 22 points from the stripe to their 8. Murray led with 26 (10 of 16, 1 of 4 from three, 5 of 7 at the line); McCollum added 22, Murphy III 22. Q2 was theirs, 42-29, turning a 4-point deficit into a 9-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 110-84 against them. They led by as many as 11. Missi's -27 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/25 @ CHA 92-123 — NOP notes
NOP lost 92-123. NOP shot 38% (32 of 84) to CHA's 50%, 8 of 31 from three. Williamson led with 28 (11 of 20, 6 of 8 at the line); Murphy III added 16, Hawkins 14. Q4 was theirs, 24-30, but the other 3 periods went 93-68 against them. Alvarado's -25 in 32 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/27 @ TOR 104-113 — NOP notes
NOP lost 104-113. NOP shot 44% (39 of 89) to TOR's 43%, 6 of 28 from three, and went to the line 30 times to TOR's 23 — 20 points from the stripe to their 18. Williamson led with 31 (13 of 18, 5 of 8 at the line); McCollum added 22, Murray 21. Q3 was theirs, 35-18, turning a 16-point deficit into a 1-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 95-69 against them. Alvarado's -20 in 18 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/29 vs DAL 136-137 — NOP notes
NOP lost 136-137. NOP shot 53% (51 of 96) to DAL's 54%, 15 of 31 from three. NOP turned it over 8 times to DAL's 18. The glass went 36-51 against them. Murphy III led with 32 (13 of 17, 5 of 9 from three); Williamson added 29, Murray 27. Q2 was theirs, 31-22, turning a 3-point deficit into a 6-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 115-105 against them. Theis's -16 in 18 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/31 vs BOS 116-118 — NOP notes
NOP lost 116-118. NOP shot 49% (44 of 90) to BOS's 50%, 15 of 37 from three, and got to the line 19 times to BOS's 26. NOP turned it over 18 times to BOS's 13, and BOS turned those into 12 steals. The glass went 48-35 for them. Murphy III led with 40 (15 of 20, 8 of 12 from three); Alvarado added 20, McCollum 17. Q1 was theirs, 34-31, but the other 3 periods went 87-82 against them. Boston's -7 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/03 @ DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 124, shooting 52 percent and 31 from three, 17 free throws a game; Murray at 25 and Jokić at 25 a game. One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 126, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 26 free throws a game; Williamson at 29 and Murphy III at 25 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Jones (11 straight), Hawkins (2 straight), Payton (27 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the line, where New Orleans takes 26 free throws a game to Denver's 17 and the glass, where Denver has been minus-0 a night and New Orleans minus-5. Call it Denver 121, New Orleans 116.
2/05 @ DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 120, shooting 52 percent and 32 from three, 20 free throws a game; Jokić at 27 and Murray at 24 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Westbrook (2 straight), Watson (2 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 123, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 24 free throws a game; Murphy III at 29 and Williamson at 26 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Jones (12 straight), Payton (28 straight), Theis (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-2 a night and New Orleans minus-5 and the arc, New Orleans at 38 percent from three to Denver's 32. Call it Denver 122, New Orleans 113.
2/08 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 123, shooting 45 percent and 31 from three, 23 free throws a game; DeRozan at 22 and Monk at 19 a game. One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 127, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Murphy III at 30 and Williamson at 26 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Jones (13 straight), Boston (2 straight), Payton (29 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the arc, New Orleans at 39 percent from three to Sacramento's 31. Call it Sacramento 119, New Orleans 115, New Orleans keeping it close.
2/10 @ OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 131 a night and allowing 107, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 34 and Wiggins at 23 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 16 a night. Without Dort (2 straight), Wallace (4 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 129, shooting 48 percent and 42 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murphy III at 32 and Williamson at 28 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Jones (14 straight), Payton (30 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the glass, where OKC has been plus-16 a night and New Orleans minus-6 and the defense, OKC allowing 107 a night to New Orleans's 129. Call it OKC 126, New Orleans 109, OKC by 17.
1/23 @ LAL 96-117 — BOS notes
BOS lost 96-117. BOS shot 38% (35 of 91) to LAL's 47%, 14 of 41 from three. The glass went 42-53 against them. Porziņģis led with 22 (9 of 16, 2 of 5 from three); Brown added 17, Tatum 16. Q3 was theirs, 20-16, the deficit cut from 19 to 15, but the other 3 periods went 101-76 against them. Horford's -22 in 24 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/25 @ DAL 122-107 — BOS notes
BOS won 122-107. BOS shot 43% (44 of 103) to DAL's 44%, 20 of 52 from three, and got to the line 19 times to DAL's 28. BOS turned it over 5 times to DAL's 12. Tatum led with 24 (8 of 22, 4 of 12 from three); White added 23, Brown 22. The hinge was Q2, 34-20: BOS came in trailing by 4 and left it ahead by 10, and the lead reached 25. Pritchard was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
1/27 vs HOU 112-114 — BOS notes
BOS lost 112-114. BOS shot 49% (39 of 80) to HOU's 45%, 15 of 39 from three. BOS turned it over 14 times to HOU's 7. Brown led with 28 (10 of 23, 3 of 9 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Tatum added 19, Kornet 18. Q3 was theirs, 37-31, turning a 2-point deficit into a 4-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 83-75 against them. They led by as many as 12. Brown's -12 in 38 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/29 vs CHI 122-100 — BOS notes
BOS won 122-100. BOS shot 47% (41 of 87) to CHI's 40%, 18 of 44 from three, and went to the line 27 times to CHI's 12 — 22 points from the stripe to their 11. BOS turned it over 8 times to CHI's 14. Porziņģis led with 34 (10 of 18, 8 of 14 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Brown added 28, White 22. The hinge was Q2, 41-28: a lead of 3 became 16, and the lead reached 24. Brown was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
1/31 @ NOP 118-116 — BOS notes
BOS won 118-116. BOS shot 50% (42 of 84) to NOP's 49%, 16 of 41 from three, and went to the line 26 times to NOP's 19 — 18 points from the stripe to their 13. BOS turned it over 13 times to NOP's 18. The glass went 35-48 against them. Brown led with 28 (11 of 18, 3 of 6 from three); Tatum added 27, White 16. The hinge was Q2, 28-19: BOS came in trailing by 3 and left it ahead by 6. Tatum was the night's best plus/minus at +4.
2/02 @ PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Philadelphia comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 114, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 21 free throws a game; Maxey at 35 and Oubre Jr. at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without George (3 straight), C. Martin (11 straight), Embiid (14 straight). One day's rest. Boston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 111, shooting 45 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Brown at 25 and Porziņģis at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. One day's rest.
So: Philadelphia wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Philadelphia 114, Boston 113, Boston keeping it close.
2/04 @ CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Cleveland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 130 a night and allowing 110, shooting 53 percent and 39 from three, 18 free throws a game; Garland at 26 and Mitchell at 25 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Wade (5 straight), Okoro (9 straight). One day's rest. Boston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 109, shooting 47 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Brown at 25 and Tatum at 24 a game. That is 3 straight wins. One day's rest.
So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Cleveland has been plus-7 a night and Boston minus-4. Call it Cleveland 119, Boston 113.
2/06 vs DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Boston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 109, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; Brown at 24 and Tatum at 24 a game. That is 4 straight wins. One day's rest. Dallas comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 125, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 20 free throws a game; Irving at 25 and Washington at 22 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Washington (2 straight), Lively II (11 straight). One day's rest.
So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the defense, Boston allowing 109 a night to Dallas's 125 and the glass, where Dallas has been plus-5 a night and Boston minus-4. Call it Boston 119, Dallas 111.
2/08 @ NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 116, shooting 50 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Brunson at 27 and Towns at 20 a game. Without Anunoby (2 straight). 3 days' rest. Boston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 112, shooting 48 percent and 40 from three, 20 free throws a game; Brown at 24 and Tatum at 23 a game. One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the arc, Boston at 40 percent from three to New York's 35. Call it New York 117, Boston 114, Boston keeping it close.
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
JA J. Alvarado
JC J. Cain
JG J. Green
JR J. Robinson-Earl
KM K. Matković
MA Matkovic
TM T. Murphy III
YM Y. Missi
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
Tatum's jumper gives Celtics a 118-116 victory over the short-handed Pelicans
NEW ORLEANS -- — Jayson Tatum 's jumper with 0.7 seconds left gave the Boston Celtics a 118-116 victory over the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.
Jaylen Brown scored 28 points and Tatum had 27 as the Celtics handed the Pelicans their fifth straight loss. New Orleans lost Dejounte Murray to a lower right leg injury in the first quarter.
Tatum had 22 points through three quarters before being held in check for much of the fourth. But the Celtics went to him after CJ McCollum 's tying basket with 24 seconds left and he hit the eventual winner over McCollum from the left wing.
Trey Murphy had a season-high 40 points, going 8 for 12 on 3-pointers. Jose Alvarado added 20 points and McCollum had 17.
Luke Kornet and Kristaps Porzingis scored 13 of the Celtics’ first 17 points of the fourth quarter to build a 108-101 lead. Porzingis and Derrick White each had 16 points.
Takeaways Celtics: The Celtics had 32 assists on 42 made field goals. Porzingis had four blocks.
Pelicans: Murray, who had averaged 17.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 7.6 assists since returning from an early season broken hand that caused him to miss 18 games, fell to the court in the first quarter with a non-contact injury to his lower right leg. He was carried into the locker room. … Zion Williamson sat out with a stomach bug. He has missed 36 of 49 games this season.
Key moment McCollum threw up a 35-foot hook shot at the buzzer that fell short.
Key stat McCollum continued his poor outside shooting, going 1 of 7 from long range. He is 7 of 27 from 3 over the last four games.
Up next The Celtics play in Philadelphia on Sunday night. The Pelicans open a four-game road trip Monday night against the Nuggets.