The Boston Celtics (42-17) face the Indiana Pacers (26-34) on Thursday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Celtics vs. Pacers odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Celtics cruised to a 127-109 victory over the Detroit Pistons as 11.5-point home favorites on Feb. 15 before the All-Star break. Boston owns the best record in the NBA and is half a game ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference.
The Pacers covered as 2.5-point home favorites in a 117-113 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Feb. 15 Indiana has won only 2 of its last 10 games and is the No. 12 seed in the Eastern Conference.
This will be the Celtics and the Pacers’ second meeting of the season. Indiana upset Boston as a 9.5-point road underdog to win 117-112 while the Under (232.5) hit on Dec. 21.
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Celtics at Pacers odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:17 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Celtics -330 (bet $330 to win $100) | Pacers +270 (bet $100 to win $270)
- Against the spread (ATS): Celtics -8.5 (-105) | Pacers +8.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 232.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Celtics at Pacers key injuries
Celtics
- None
Pacers
- None
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Celtics at Pacers picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 123, Pacers 111
Moneyline
AVOID.
Unless you’re confident in the Pacers pulling off another upset over the No. 1-seed Celtics then it’s not worth wagering on the moneyline in this contest.
Against the spread
BET CELTICS -8.5 (-105).
These teams are going in opposite directions and the Celtics understand how important each game is down the stretch with the Bucks right behind them in the standings. Boston is 6-0 ATS in its last 6 games overall and Indiana is 0-4 ATS in its last 4 games following a win.
Over/Under
OVER 232.5 (-110) is the lean here with F Jayson Tatum and F Jaylen Brown coming off spectacular performances in the All-Star Game. This is also a pace-up game for Boston and Indiana has the 8th-worst defensive rating in the NBA.
The Celtics are 4-0 to the Over in their last 4 games overall and the Over is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings between these teams.
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