The Boston Celtics (46 - 32) defeated the New Orleans Pelicans (29 - 49) on Wednesday, 104 - 97. The Celtics got all they could handle from a game Pelicans squad that came in to the contest with a revamped lineup. Into the starting five stepped James Ennis for the first time in a Pelicans uniform, while Omer Asik and Toney Douglas made their returns to the first unit as well. Decimated by injuries in the second half of the season, New Orleans hung tough throughout four quarters against a Boston team that is still jockeying for playoff positioning. The home team was finally able to pull away in the final minute on a clutch block by Amir Johnson on what looked like a gim me layup opportunity for Luke Babbitt, and a subsequent three - pointer by Avery Bradley. The Pelicans' effort was paced by Douglas, who managed 19 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal. Ennis was next among the starters, tallying 13 points, four rebounds, an assist, and two steals. Ajinca was the third and final member of the starting five to record double - digit points, supplying 10 points, eight boards and three assists. A highly productive night for the bench was spearheaded by the effort of Tim Frazier, who registered 18 points, six assists, five rebounds, two steals and a block. Babbitt contributed 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while Jordan Hamilton collected 14 points, six rebounds and an assist. New Orleans are in last place in the Western Conference's Southwest Division. They're home to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. Boston was led by another remarkable effort from Isaiah Thomas, who posted 32 points, eight assists, four rebounds and two steals. Jae Crowder followed with 14 points, three rebounds, an assist and two blocks. Bradley contributed 13 points, six boards, three assists and three steals. Marcus Smart led the bench before leaving with a facial injury, supplying 11 points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks. The Celtics remain in second place in the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division, and are currently slotted in the fourth seed. They're home against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night.
["PlayerStat(G,'Alexis Ajinca') has 3 Assists ,has 10 Blocks ,has 8 Field goals made ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'James Ennis III') has 1 Assists ,has 5 Blocks ,has 13 Field goals made ,has 4 Points ,has 2 Total rebounds ,has 5 Steals ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Toney Douglas') has 3 Assists ,has 19 Blocks ,has 7 Field goals made ,has 1 Points ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Tim Frazier') has 6 Assists ,has 1 Blocks ,has 18 Field goals made ,has 5 Points ,has 2 Total rebounds ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Luke Babbitt') has 4 Assists ,has 16 Blocks ,has 8 Field goals made ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Jordan Hamilton') has 1 Assists ,has 14 Blocks ,has 6 Field goals made ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Jae Crowder') has 1 Assists ,has 2 Blocks ,has 14 Field goals made ,has 3 Points ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Avery Bradley') has 3 Assists ,has 13 Blocks ,has 6 Field goals made ,has 3 Points ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Isaiah Thomas') has 8 Assists ,has 32 Blocks ,has 4 Field goals made ,has 2 Points ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Marcus Smart') has 4 Assists ,has 2 Blocks ,has 11 Field goals made ,has 4 Points ,has 2 Total rebounds ."]