The Boston Celtics travel to The Big Easy to face the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on Sunday.

The Celtics (30-14) come into this matchup winning three-straight games. What makes that run all the more impressive is the fact that they're dealing with a ton of injuries right now. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Enes Kanter all missed the last two games and it's amazing that they're winning games with all of those guys out. That's about 50 points and 25 rebounds out of the lineup and winning without those guys shows just how deep this roster can be at times. Where they're really dangerous is on the defensive end, allowing the second-fewest points in the NBA. As long as that continues, Boston should compete with anyone no matter who is out.

The Pelicans (17-29) have arguably the most dangerous starting lineup in the NBA right now, sending out Lonzo Ball, Jrue Holiday, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson and Derrick Favors. All of those players have shown flashes of All-Star capabilities throughout the year and it's amazing just how good of a roster they've put together after the Anthony Davis trade. The unfortunate thing is the fact that it hasn't led to many wins. Injuries have dismantled the roster and this is only the third time this starting-five has played together. They're actually 0-2 in the first two games with this lineup and it's clear that everyone is trying to adjust to one another's games. What they also need to fix is their defense, ranked 29th in points allowed. This is too good of a team to be that poor and they simply won't make a playoff run unless that improves drastically over the next month.

Boston won the first meeting between these teams at home, 140-105, on January 11. That gives the Celtics three-straight victories over the Pelicans dating back two years.