Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Preview
With a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals, the top-seeded Celtics will face the 6th-seeded Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Tip-off is set for 8:30 PM ET. The over/under is 222.5 points, and the Celtics are favored by -7.
Check out BetCoco for Indiana Pacers – Boston Celtics odds
Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Head-to-Head and Key Stats
Over their previous five games against the Pacers, the Celtics have put together a record of 4-1. The over/under record in the five most recent head to head games between the Celtics and Pacers is 4-1 with an average of 246 points per game. The last three times that the Celtics have been on the road vs. the Pacers, the over/under record is 3-2.
- Through their last ten road contests, the Celtics offense has averaged 109 points per game while allowing an average of 102. Boston posted an overall record of 7-3 while going 5-5 ATS.
- In their last ten games at home, the Pacers have a straight up record of 2-8 while going 4-6 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 112 points per game in these contests.
- Through their last three games as the betting underdog, the Pacers have a strong record vs the spread going 2-1. Their straight up mark in these contests is 1-2.
- Against the spread, the Celtics have put together of 2-3 in their last five games as the betting favorite. In these same games, they went 5-0 straight up.
Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Prediction
The Celtics covered the spread in their most recent game against the Pacers, winning by a score of 126-110. Boston was favored by 8.5 points, and heading into the game, the over/under line was at 225.5 points. The teams combined for 236 points, surpassing the over/under line by 10.5 points. The Celtics got off to a slow start, as they were outscored by the Pacers in the first quarter 27-25. However, Boston bounced back in the 2nd quarter, outscoring the Pacers 32-24. The Celtics really pulled away in the 3rd quarter, outscoring the Pacers 36-29.
Offensively, the Celtics had a great game, as they shot 53.4% from the field. Jaylen Brown had a big game, scoring 40 points and knocking down four threes. Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 28 points.
This season, the Celtics have been favored in 90 of their 82 games and have gone 72-18 in those games. As the favorite, Boston has won five straight games and has an ATS record of 46-40.
The Celtics’ O/U record for the season is 50-43-1, and their games have averaged 227.5 points per game. Currently, their O/U streak is at four games.
In their most recent game, the Celtics defeated the Pacers by a score of 126-110. The O/U line for that game was 225.5, and Boston covered the spread as 8.5-point favorites.
Looking at their overall record, the Celtics are 64-18, which is the best in the Eastern Conference. Against other Eastern Conference teams, they are 41-11 and 23-7 against the West.
Boston’s road record for the season is 31-14, and they are favored by 7 points today. In their last five games, the Celtics have gone 5-0 and are 48-42 ATS for the season.
Looking at the Celtics offense, they are averaging 120.6 points per game this season, which is the second-best mark in the league. They have been even better on the road, at 116.9 points per game, which is the third-best mark in the NBA. Boston is the top three-point shooting team in the league this year, both in terms of three-point shooting percentage and three-pointers made per game.
Across his last five games, Jayson Tatum is averaging 30 points and 10.4 rebounds. He also averaged 5.8 assists in those games. For the season, he is averaging 3.1 made threes per game, while his season three-point shooting percentage is 37.6%. Jaylen Brown is averaging 26.4 points per game in his last five games, while hitting 43.5% of his threes in that stretch.
When it comes to defense, the Celtics have been one of the best units in the league this season. They are currently ranked 3rd in the NBA, allowing just 108.1 points per game. On the road, they have been just as stingy, giving up 108.9 points per game.
Opposing teams have had a tough time finding the bottom of the net against the Celtics, as they are shooting just 45.5% from the field. Boston’s ability to protect the rim has been a big reason for their success, as they are blocking 6.6 shots per game.
One area where the Celtics have been able to limit their opponents is at the free-throw line. They are giving up just 16.7 made free throws per game, which is the best mark in the league.
In Pacers games this season, the average over/under line has been 237.9, which is 15.4 points higher than today’s line of 222.5. Indiana has seen the over hit in their last four games.
Indiana’s ATS record for the season is 52-43, and they have covered the spread in two straight home games. As the underdog, they are 27-17 vs. the spread.
Indiana’s O/U record for the season is 53-44, and their games have averaged 241.2 points per game. Today will be their 85th game with a higher O/U line than 222.5.
The Pacers are currently 6th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 47-35. In their last game, they lost to the Celtics by a score of 126-110. Indiana was getting 8.5 points in that game.
Against the spread, the Pacers are 26-20 at home and 26-23 on the road. At home, they have a scoring differential of +7.8 points per game.
Indiana comes into the game as the NBA’s top-scoring offense, at 123.3 points per game. They have been even better at home, averaging 124.7 points per contest. The Pacers are also a very efficient team, leading the league with a field goal percentage of 50%. Looking at their free throw numbers, they are 28th in attempts and 26th in makes.
Pascal Siakam has averaged 23.8 points per game over his last five games, while hitting 56% of his shots from the field. Myles Turner has hit 58.5% of his shots and 57.1% of his threes in his last five games, leading to an average of 16.2 points. Tyrese Haliburton is averaging 17.8 points and 7.6 assists over his last five games but is dealing with a hamstring injury.
So far this season, the Pacers’ defense has struggled, ranking 27th in the NBA in points allowed per game at 119.2. Indiana has been especially bad at home, giving up 116.9 points per contest (25th). Over their last five games, the Pacers have been slightly better, ranking 26th in points allowed.
One area where Indiana has been strong defensively is defending the three-point line. On the season, the Pacers are giving up just 10.9 made threes per game (1st). In terms of three-point percentage allowed, Indiana is also 1st in the NBA at 36.6%. It’s worth noting that opposing teams have made fewer threes than their season average in 92.7% of games vs. Indiana.
When it comes to rebounding, the Pacers are near the bottom of the league, ranking 28th in rebounds per game. However, they have been solid at blocking shots, coming in 8th in the NBA in that category.
Despite being 7 point underdogs, we predict the Pacers to come out on top with a final score of 115-113.
Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Betting Tips
- We like the Pacers on the moneyline (+220)
- The Pacers are also our pick on the spread at +7
- Projecting a combined 228 points, we like the over
Indiana Pacers Injury Report
- Tyrese Haliburton – Hamstring – Questionable
- Bennedict Mathurin – Shoulder – Out
Boston Celtics Injury Report
- Kristaps Porzingis – Calf – Out
- Luke Kornet – Wrist – Doubtful
