The Boston Celtics (1-1) visit the Indiana Pacers (2-0) at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse Sunday for an 8 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we analyze the Celtics-Pacers NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Celtics at Pacers: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:23 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Celtics -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Pacers +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
- Against the spread/ATS: Celtics -2.5 (-105) | Pacers +2.5 (-115)
- Over/Under: 220.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Celtics at Pacers: Key Injuries
Celtics
- PG Kemba Walker (knee) out
Pacers
- SG Jeremy Lamb (knee) out
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Celtics at Pacers: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Celtics 117, Pacers 108
Money line (ML)
The Celtics got Grinch’d on Christmas in a 123-95 loss at home as 3-point underdogs vs. the Brooklyn Nets. It rained Nets 3’s in Boston as Brooklyn sank 15 of 29 3-pointers (seven more than the Celtics). Brooklyn also did a great job getting to the foul line and made twice as many free throws as the Celtics.
The Pacers offense looks updated and a little scary under first-year head coach Nate Bjorkgren. Indiana has scored 121 and 125 points in its first two games albeit vs. the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls but still, the Pacers are rolling bad teams. You cannot knock them for the schedule.
We’re inherently getting some value on the Celtics in this spot since they took a 28-point whooping on Christmas (a high-profile game) and the Pacers are a top-six Eastern Conference team.
The score looked terrible, granted, but there are positives to take away from that Bucks-Celtics game. Boston had more assists, points in the paint and rebounds than the Nets. Brooklyn just made tough shots. That’s going to happen when you’re playing against superstars.
Let’s say Boston has a get-right game and picks up a nice win. I am betting CELTICS (-135) for 1.5 units.
Against the spread (ATS)
If you go through my handicapping history, you’ll see how rarely I’ll play a favorite on the money line. The Celtics’ -135 ML price is nearly the cutoff point, and if I’m going to lay an extra 35 cents on the dollar to take Boston, I’ll have to PASS on the spread.
No way I’d take the Pacers plus points. That’s a strategy I’d never use pregame (taking the favorite on the money line and the underdog plus points). However, if you want to live bet a dog as a middle or hedge, now that’s a different conversation.
Over/Under (O/U)
Let’s BET OVER 220.5 (-110) for just a half-unit. We are fading the perceived sharp side as more money is on the Over while the Under has more action, according to Pregame.com.
I have a hunch this is sharp money is a robotic play on two traditionally strong defenses playing each other at the end of the week. Well, the season just started Tuesday so I don’t think fatigue is coming into play.
More importantly, the Pacers are playing at a faster pace and jacking more 3’s, and the Celtics feature two elite wings— PF Jayson Tatum and SG Jaylen Brown—who are coming into their basketball primes.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Also see:
- A life in photos: Celtics legend K.C. Jones dies (Celtics Wire)
- Russell reacts to death of teammate, friend Jones on Twitter (Celtics Wire)
- Rumors: Celtics | Pacers (Hoops Hype)
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