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The Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics meet in Game 2 of the best-of-7 Eastern Conference Finals Thursday. The Celtics lead the series 1-0. Tip-off from TD Garden is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Pacers vs. Celtics odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Pacers snapped a 2-game winning streak with a 133-128 overtime loss against the Celtics Tuesday while covering as 9.5-point road underdogs.
G Tyrese Haliburton scored a team high 25 points and added 10 assists for a double-double. F Pascal Siakam (24 points and 12 rebounds) and C Myles Turner (23 and 10) also had double-doubles while Indiana shot 53.5% from the field in the loss.
F Jayson Tatum had a game-high 36 points with 12 rebounds for the Celtics, who have won 4 in a row. Three Boston players finished with 26 or more points, and each Celtics starter scored in double digits. Boston shot 47.5% from the field in the win.
Pacers at Celtics odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:40 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pacers +290 (bet $100 to win $290) | Celtics -375 (bet $375 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Pacers +8.5 (-105) | Celtics -8.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 224.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Pacers at Celtics key injuries
Pacers
- G Bennedict Mathurin (shoulder) out
Celtics
- C Kristaps Porzingis (leg) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Pacers at Celtics picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 126, Pacers 116
Moneyline
PASS.
There is no value on the Celtics (-375), who have won 8 of their last 10 games overall and 3 of their last 4 at home, to beat the Pacers, who have lost 5 of their last 6 on the road.
Against the spread
LEAN CELTICS -8.5 (-115).
While Indiana kept it close in Game 1, and almost came out with a victory, it took a team effort and 3 players to score 23 or more points.
The Celtics have covered the spread in 5 of their last 9 games, including 2 of their last 3 as favorites of 9.5 points or fewer. They have limited opponents to 102 or fewer points in 3 of their last 4 games and 7 of their last 9.
Over/Under
BET OVER 224.5 (-105).
Both the Pacers and Celtics have hit the Over in 6 of their last 10 games, including each of their last 3. While both teams have the ability to tighten up on defense, they are also 2 of the top-scoring teams in the NBA.
In a critical Game 2, expect both teams to continue the pace we saw in Game 1. The Pacers have scored 116 or more points in 4 of their last 5 games, while the Celtics have scored 113 or more in 4 of their last 7.
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