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The Indiana Pacers (2-1) and Boston Celtics (3-0) square off Wednesday with tip-off from TD Garden set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Pacers vs. Celtics odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Boston won 2-1 last season
The Pacers suffered their 1st loss of the season Monday, falling 112-105 at home to the Chicago Bulls. They opened the season in spirited fashion with 143-120 and 125-113 wins over the Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers. G Tyrese Haliburton is off to a fast start with 20 points, 12.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game.
The Celtics cruised to a 126-107 victory over the Wizards Monday. They won 2 close battles with the New York Knicks and Miami Heat to open the season. F Jayson Tatum (29.7), G Jaylen Brown (24.7) and C Kristaps Porzingis (20.7) are all pacing the offense with 20+ points per game.
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 9:06 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pacers +450 (bet $100 to win $450) | Celtics -650 (bet $650 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Pacers +11.5 (-110) | Celtics -11.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 232.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Pacers at Celtics key injuries
Pacers
- G Tyrese Haliburton (ankle) game-time decision
- G Bennedict Mathurin (elbow) game-time decision
- C Jalen Smith (knee) questionable
Celtics
- None
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Pacers at Celtics picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 118, Pacers 111
Moneyline
You’ll need to wait this one out to find out whether Haliburton and Mathurin are able to suit up. Haliburton stepped on a teammate’s foot and sprained his ankle in the game Monday but played through it. He missed practice Tuesday and was deemed “questionable at best.”
If health weren’t in question, I could see this as a trap game and would consider the lofty Pacers ML. The Pacers won in Boston last year as 9.5-point dogs, and Haliburton dropped 33. For now, PASS, but if he’s clear to play, you might consider that lucrative +450.
Against the spread
I’m on the Pacers’ side here, but again, that hinges on Haliburton’s ability to suit up. Ankle sprains can be played through initially, but swelling takes place overnight, and that could hinder him from going 48 hours later. If he’s ruled out, I expect the spread to lengthen, but I’ll take the PACERS +11.5 (-110) to stay in it. They’ve covered this line in 3 of 4 against Boston.
Over/Under
Two of the last 3 meetings went Under, and the one that went over required overtime. Boston is more lethal offensively this year, and each team is 2-1 O/U on the season. With Indiana banged up, and recent meetings being tightly contested, I’ll take the UNDER 232.5 (-115).
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