Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Prediction
| Game Time | 6:00 pm EST |
| Indiana Pacers Line | +11.5 |
| Boston Celtics Line | -11.5 |
| Total | 234 |
| TV: | NBA TV |
Below is a detailed analysis for Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics game.
PREGAME WARM-UP:
In a rematch of Friday’s game, where the Boston Celtics won by a whopping 37 points, they are hosting once again the Indiana Pacers. The Celtics bounced back in a big way after their first two-game losing streak of the season and have been steadily the second-best team in the East. Boston is playing their third consecutive home game. On the other hand, the Pacers were on their best stretch of the season, as they had five consecutive wins, but lost back-to-back games against OKC and Boston after that, and came back to earth.
Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Prediction
Boston Celtics Injury Report: Jason Tatum is out.
Indiana Pacers Injury Report: Aaron Nesmith, Isiah Jackson and James Wiseman are out.
Boston Celtics Form and Trends
The Celtics have a 23-8 record this season and are sitting on the second place of the East. Boston is 12-19 against the spread and 14-16-1 in over/under. The Celtics have a 12-5 home record but are just 6-11 against the spread, with a +8.7-point differential. Boston is 4-4 in their last 8 games, and just 3-7 against the spread in their last 10. Under is 5-2 in their last 7 games.
Boston is coming off a blowout 141-105 win over Indiana, as they shot with 51% from the field and made 20 triples. Jalen Brown led Boston’s offense with a season-high 44 points with 6 triples and 5 rebounds.
Jason Tatum leads Boston in scoring this season, with an average of 28.7 points, adding 9.6 rebounds and a team-high 5.6 assists. Jaylen Brown adds 24.6 points, 6 rebounds and 4.6 assists.
Indiana Pacers Recent Form and Trends
The Pacers have a 15-17 record this season and are sitting on the 8th place of the East. Indiana is 13-18-1 against the spread and 18-13-1 in over/under. The Pacers have a 7-12 road record, and are 8-11 against the spread, with a -4.9-point differential. Pacers are 5-2 in their last 7 games and are 5-2 against the spread. Under is 5-2-1 in their last 8 games.
The Pacers are coming off a 105-141 loss in Boston, as they shot with just 42% from the field and 28% from downtown. Tyrese Halliburton led Indiana’s offense with 19 points, adding 4 rebounds and a team-high 9 assists.
Pascal Siakam leads the Pacers in scoring with 19.9 points, adding 7.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists. Tyrese Halliburton adds 17.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and a team-high 8.8 assists.
Statistical Breakdown
Offensively, the Celtics are 4th-best in the NBA with 119.6 points per game. They shoot 45.8% from the field (20th) and 36.6% from beyond the arc (16th). Defensively, they allow 109.7 points per game, which is 8th in the league.
Offensively, the Pacers are averaging 114.4 points per game, which is 10th in the league. They shoot 48.7% from the field, which is the fourth-best in the NBA, and 37.3% from beyond the arc (8th). Defensively, the Pacers allow 116.8 points per game, which is just 22nd in the league.
Both teams are tied 1-1 wins this season, with each one having won at home. The Celtics won by 142-105 and the Pacers by 135-132 in overtime. The Celtics are 6-1 in their last 7 meetings, but the Pacers are 5-2 against the spread. Over is 7-1 in their last 8 meetings.
Prediction
In this Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Prediction, the Celtics are coming as -11.5 home favorites. The Celtics are rightfully favored as they are the better team, and just destroyed the Pacers by 37 points two nights ago. The Pacers will definitely not be as bad for a second straight game, so picking a side is tricky. Both of their meetings this season had been high scoring ones, with 247 and 267 total points, and have gone 16 and 31.5 points over the total. Only one of their last eight meetings has been a low scoring ones, as both teams like to play each other offensively. I expect this trend to continue today, so take the over the point total. Nick’s Free Pick: Over 234
Also check out http://members.tonyspicks.com/cappers/71