After winning five of six games, the New Orleans Pelicans have lost four consecutive games and now head into one of their toughest tests of the season. The Pelicans host the Boston Celtics on Friday, bringing the defending champs into Smoothie King Center.

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.

Tatum finished with 27 points and 10 rebounds and Jaylen Brown scored 28 points for the Celtics, who forced 20 New Orleans turnovers. Trey Murphy erupted for 40 points for the Pelicans, who were without without Zion Williamson (illness), Brandon Ingram (ankle), Herbert Jones (shoulder), Daniel Theis (thumb), and Jordan Hawkins (illness).

The New Orleans Pelicans are searching for a Brandon Ingram trade ahead of the February 6th NBA trade deadline. The question is, will they actually find a suitable deal?

NBA insider Bobby Marks recently made a bold promise about the New Orleans Pelicans ahead of the trade deadline.

The Celtics will do so with likely better health than vs. the Bulls, and against a dinged up Pels squad that has lost four games straight. This should be an easy win for Boston --

The New Orleans Pelicans entered Friday night's game against the Boston Celtics with a 12-36 record. Heading into the weekend, the Pelicans were second-to-last in the Western Conference, just two games ahead of the Utah Jazz. Then, the Pelicans lost to the Celtics in New Orleans, 118-116, In a surprisingly close game.

The Celtics will hit the road Friday to take on the Pelicans, who are on a four-game losing streak. Boston had split its previous 12 games before a 122-100 home victory against the Bulls on Wednesday.

Jaylen Brown scored 28 points and Jayson Tatum added 27, including a tie-breaking jumper with 0.2 seconds left, as the visiting Boston Celtics held off the New Orleans Pelicans 118-116 on Friday night.

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.

After Pelicans veteran guard CJ McCollum drained a clutch floater with just 24 seconds remaining to tie it, Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum took matters into his own hands, drilling the game-winner with McCollum in his face.