Tatum finished with 27 points and eight rebounds to lead a Boston team that started slowly and overcame an 18-point first-half deficit to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 104-92 at home on Monday. One of the teams the Celtics must overtake is the Hornets, with a 1.5-game spread separating the two in the tight NBA Eastern Conference standings. Jaylen Brown put up 23 points and grabbed eight boards, and Dennis Schroder added 23 points and nine assists.

On Tuesday, the Hornets listed Kelly Oubre Jr. as questionable against the Celtics as he makes his return from the league’s health and safety protocol.