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The Indiana Pacers welcome the Boston Celtics to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals Saturday. The Celtics lead the series 2-0. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Celtics vs. Pacers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Celtics defended home court and won the first 2 games of the series. They won Game 2 126-110, closing as 9-point favorites, and Game 1 in overtime 133-128. The total cleared with ease in both games with it closing respectively at 224 and 223.
Boston has won 5 straight games and 9 of its last 10. Over that span, it is 6-4 against the spread (ATS). The Celtics were 41-36-5 ATS over the course of the regular season and 1-2 straight up and ATS on the road against the Pacers.
The Pacers, who lost the first 2 games of their series with the New York Knicks yet advanced after winning Game 7, are 8-7 ATS in their 15 playoff games. Indiana has won 4 of its last 7 and is a perfect 6-0 straight up at home.
Celtics at Pacers odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Celtics -270 (bet $270 to win $100) | Pacers +220 (bet $100 to win $220)
- Against the spread: Celtics -7 (-112) | Pacers +7 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 223 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Celtics at Pacers key injuries
Celtics
- C Kristaps Porzingis (soleus) out
Pacers
- G Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) questionable
- G Bennedict Mathurin (shoulder) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Celtics at Pacers picks and predictions
Prediction
Pacers 114, Celtics 110
Moneyline
SPRINKLE PACERS (+220).
For a smaller unit than the ATS wager, take the Pacers to win outright. They have won 6 straight at home and should be playing with elimination-game energy, as they’ll need to this to have any hope in the series.
Indiana beat New York by 5, 32 and 13 at home and beat Milwaukee by 3, 13 and 22, so many of those games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse weren’t close either.
Back PACERS (+220).
Against the spread
BET PACERS +7 (-108).
The Pacers aren’t typically home underdogs and are 4-2 ATS at home in the playoffs despite their 6-0 straight-up record. Indiana has been terrific for bettors as a home underdog this season, posting an 8-3-1 ATS record. The Pacers are also the best team in the NBA following a loss at 26-14-2 ATS, playoffs included.
The Celtics are just 1-3 ATS over their last 4. Expect the Pacers to be able to keep things close and rebound after their Game 2 loss. Back PACERS +7 (-108) for a full unit.
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 223 (-110).
The Pacers play at too quick of a pace to suggest anything else here. The total has cleared with ease in both games as the Celtics have topped 125 points in each.
Indiana is 4-0 O/U in its last 4 and 7-3 O/U in its last 10. The Celtics have gone north of the total in 4 straight as well and are 6-2 O/U in their last 8. Considering those trends, back OVER 223 (-110).
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