The Indiana Pacers (25-52) carry their five-game losing skid into Friday’s matchup with the Boston Celtics (47-30). Tip-off from TD Garden in Boston will be 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Pacers vs. Celtics odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Pacers are just 3-7 in their last 10 games and have lost five straight, most recently losing 125-118 to the Denver Nuggets Wednesday. They covered the spread in that game but were 0-4 ATS in their previous four games. Indiana ranks among the worst defenses in the NBA with 114.0 points allowed per game (25th) and 36.7% shooting allowed from 3-point range (28th).
The Celtics were on a tear as winners of six straight games before dropping back-to-back games to the Toronto Raptors Monday (115-112) and Miami Heat Wednesday (106-98) in their last two contests. They’re still 7-3 in their last 10 games but they’re now third in the East and sitting two games back of the Heat for the top seed. Boston is 6-2 ATS in its last eight games, so its done a good job covering in recent weeks.
Pacers at Celtics odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:55 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Pacers +800 (bet $100 to win $800) | Celtics -1600 (bet $1,600 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Pacers +14.5 (-108) | Celtics -14.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 225.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
Pacers at Celtics key injuries
Pacers
- C Goga Bitadze (foot) questionable
- SF Oshae Brissett (back) questionable
- PG Malcolm Brogdon (back) questionable
- SG Chris Duarte (toe) out
- PF Isaiah Jackson (headache) questionable
Celtics
- C Robert Williams III (knee) out indefinitely
[tipico]
Pacers at Celtics odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 115, Pacers 104
Money line
The Celtics should win this game, but betting $1,600 to win $100 is certainly not worth the risk. PASS on the money line and bet the spread instead.
PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!
Against the spread
The Celtics are 0-3 ATS when favored by 12.5 points or more. The Pacers are 4-1 ATS as underdogs of 12.5 points or more. That’s a strong indication of how each of these teams plays in lopsided contests.
The Celtics are playing well right now and are back at full strength — with the exception of Williams — but they’re just 1-2 ATS in their last three games when favored by 10-plus points.
Bet the PACERS +14.5 (-108).
Over/Under
The total had gone Over in six straight games for the Celtics before their 106-98 loss to the Heat Wednesday, which was a defensive battle. The Under is 5-2 in the Pacers’ last seven games, but the total went Over in each of their last two games.
I like the UNDER 225.5 (-108) in this one with the Celtics’ stout defense limiting Indiana’s struggling offense.
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow @camdasilva on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional NBA sports coverage:
HoopsHype | Celtics Wire | LeBron Wire | Lonzo Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]