The Indiana Pacers will face the Boston Celtics on the road this Thursday for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, a best-of-seven series. The Celtics took a 1-0 lead by winning the first game in overtime. The Pacers will look to tie the 2024 NBA Playoffs bracket series before returning home for the next two games. Let’s get to our Pacers Celtics betting picks for this big Game 2 on the NBA schedule.
Pacers Aim to Steal Game 2! Can Indiana upset Boston on the road? Get the top scores and odds of the day here!
Game Details and Betting Picks
Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Information
Here is some information for this playoff game on the NBA schedule for Thursday:
Indiana Pacers (47-35) vs Boston Celtics (64-18)
Location of the game: TD Garden; Boston, MA
Date & Time:Thursday, May 23rd, 2024; 8:00 pm EST
Where to Watch: ESPN
Previous Meeting: The Boston Celtics beat the Indiana Pacers 133-128 on May 21st, 2024.
Pacers vs Celtics Picks
- Pick: Indiana Pacers +8.5.
Consider Professional Help: If you struggle with gambling, seek professional help call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit NCPG website
During the regular season, Indiana posted a 47-35 record, finishing sixth in the Eastern Conference. They advanced to the finals by defeating the Milwaukee Bucks in six games and overcoming the New York Knicks in a seven-game series. Indiana had a late lead in Game 1 but ultimately let it slip away.
The Boston Celtics have been dominant all season, boasting a combined regular season and postseason record of 73-20. They advanced to the finals by eliminating the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers in five games each.
Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Odds
Before our Pacers Celtics betting picks, take a look at the most updated Celtics odds for this game:
1Moneyline:
Boston Celtics -425
Indiana Pacers +320
2Total:
224.5 points
3Spread:
Boston Celtics -8.5
Indiana Pacers +8.5
Haliburton vs Tatum! Which star player will lead their team? Get the top picks and parlays of the day and mix them with your player prop bets!
Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Analysis
The Pacers would love to have a redo of Game 1. Despite the loss, Indiana is encouraged by their competitive performance in the series. Seven Pacers scored in double figures, with Tyrese Haliburton leading the way with 25 points and 10 assists.
Pascal Siakam scored 24 points, 7 assists, and 12 rebounds, while Myles Turner recorded a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Siakam has scored 20 or more points in four consecutive postseason games, and Turner’s double-double was his second of the playoffs.
Indiana led the league in scoring during the regular season, averaging 123.3 points per game and shooting nearly 51% from the field. Though they struggled with rebounding, averaging 41.5 per game, they managed to hold their own in Game 1.
Jayson Tatum anchored Boston’s offense with 36 points and 12 rebounds in Game 1, where the Celtics sank 15 three-pointers and shot 48% from the field. At one point, Boston led by as many as 13 points. This was Tatum’s third 30+ point game in the last four for Boston.
Jaylen Brown also dominated, scoring 26 points and tying the game late to force overtime. Jrue Holiday added 28 points in the victory. All five of Boston’s starters scored in double figures.
In the regular season, Boston was just behind Indiana in scoring, averaging 120.6 points per game. The Celtics led the league in three-point shooting, averaging 16.5 per game, and were elite on the glass with 46.3 rebounds per game.
Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Betting Picks
The Indiana Pacers are playing solid basketball. Game 1 showed that they could compete. Look for more of that. In the end, the Celtics are going to win this game, but not via a blowout. We like the Indiana Pacers to cover the spread. Our final bet for this game is the Indiana Pacers +8.5 over the Boston Celtics. Enjoy the game and best of luck with all your National Basketball Association betting!
Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Prediction
Our final score prediction is, once again, a competitive game, with a bunch of points. Tatum and the Celtics outlast Haliburton and the Pacers. Both NBA teams get to 120+. Our final score prediction is the Boston Celtics 125-120 over the Indiana Pacers.
Pacers vs Celtics Matchup Recap (5/23/2024)
The Boston Celtics took a commanding 2-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals with a 126-110 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday, May 23rd, 2024.
Spread: The Boston Celtics were favored by 7.5 points (-7.5) against the Indiana Pacers. They covered the spread comfortably with their 16-point win.
MoneyLine: The Celtics were moneyline favorites at -350, meaning a $350 bet would return a $100 profit if they won. Conversely, the Pacers were underdogs at +280, offering a higher payout for a winning bet.
Total: The total points line was set at 225.5 points. The combined score of 236 points resulted in a win for those who bet on the over.
If you love sports and want more sports betting information, follow us as @InsidersBetDig on Twitter and sign up to our mailing list for free betting picks.