The Boston Celtics came into Monday nights NBA tilt with the New Orleans Pelicans missing five players, including two starters. The game went on however and the red hot Celtics continued to win, as Marcus Morris poured in 31 points to help secure their sixth straight victory, 113-100 over New Orleans at TD Garden.
Boston (16-10) was without Kyrie Irving (shoulder), Al Horford (knee), Gordon Hayward (illness), Aron Baynes (ankle), and Guerschon Yabusele (ankle). The Celtics started Terry Rozier, Morris, Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart, and Daniel Theis. New Orleans held one lead in the game at 17-15 in the first quarter, but trailed by seven at the end of one, by as many as 10 in the second, and six at the break 59-53. The hosts extended to a 15 point lead late in the third, and the Pelicans (14-15) never got closer than 11 the rest of the way as the green pushed it up to as many as 21 in the fourth quarter.
Morris added four rebounds and four assists to his season high point total. Tatum had 21 points and six rebounds. Jaylen Brown came off the bench to pour in 19 points and grab seven rebounds. Semi Ojeleye chipped in 11 points and six rebounds, and Rozier had 10 points, seven rebounds, and six assists to round out the double digit scoring. Also impressing was rookie Robert Williams III, who was just recalled from the Maine Red Claws. Williams scored seven points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and blocked three shots in 25 minutes of action. One blocked shot came on Pelicans superstar center Anthony Davis, swatting it away and earning a huge ovation from the Garden crowd. Davis led New Orleans with 41 points, seven rebounds, and four steals, while Julius Randle added 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Boston travels to Washington to battle the Wizards Wednesday night at 7 pm.
