Next up on our NBA schedule of picks and predictions is an Eastern Conference matchup between the Indiana Pacers (33-40, 14-23 Away) and Boston Celtics (50-23, 26-9 Home) on Friday night. Tip-off from TD Garden is scheduled for 7:00 pm EST and will be broadcast on NBA TV.
This is the third and final matchup between these two teams, with each winning on the opposing team’s home floor, setting up this pivotal season-series tiebreaker. Continue reading for the Pacers vs Celtics odds and our final prediction.
Pacers vs. Celtics Odds
According to the NBA odds, the Celtics are massive favorites on Friday night, laying 11.5 points with an over/under of 234.5.
Boston is -700 on the moneyline, while Indiana is a +500 underdog.
Indiana Pacers vs. Boston Celtics Matchup Information
Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics
Location of the Game: TD Garden, Boston, MA.
Date and Time: Friday, March 24, 2023. 7:00 pm ET.
How to Watch: NBA TV
Indiana Pacers vs. Boston Celtics Betting Preview
Indiana Pacers Preview
We noted the Indiana Pacers record stands at 33-40 coming into this one, and that’s good for 11th in the Eastern Conference, just a game-and-a-half out of the final play-in spot. The Pacers have struggled on the road this year, going 14-23 SU, but they are a respectable 18-19 ATS away from Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
They’re in the midst of their final major road swing of the regular season, playing their third straight away from home in a stretch that ultimately will see them play seven of eight in other cities. We’re keeping an eye on their rim protection tonight, as looking at NBA team stats, Indiana is second in the NBA in blocks, thanks largely to Myles Turner.
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Boston Celtics Preview
The C’s come into Friday night having won three of four and five of their last seven overall, jockeying back into the 2-seed in the East behind Milwaukee. The Celtics are one of just three teams in the Eastern Conference and five in the entire league to have clinched a playoff berth at this stage.
Making Boston Celtics’ picks has been marginally profitable this year if you’re betting against the number, as they’re 38-34-1 overall and 19-16 at home ATS. However, they’re just 2-5 ATS over their last seven as a double-digit favorite, including two outright defeats to inferior opponents in the Rockets and Nets the last two times they were laying these many points.
Jayson Tatum and Jalen Brown are both in the top 11 in the league in scoring when checking NBA player stats and have combined to score 121 points in the first two meetings with Indiana.
Indiana Pacers vs. Boston Celtics Betting Picks
The Pacers vs Celtics odds would indicate that the oddsmakers are expecting a blowout in favor of the home team. But considering that Indiana has won on this floor already this season, combined with Boston’s propensity to play down to their competition forces us to lean to the dog Friday night.
Plus, you have to wonder if Jaylen Brown’s recent interview with The Ringer, where the idea of his free agency was a major topic, will become a distraction. Boston is still a legit title contender, but on this night, we’re grabbing the 11.5, especially since Indiana is 4-0 ATS in their last four road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Boston Celtics picks don’t usually go in the other team’s favor, but the Pacers are red-hot ATS and will keep this one close.
- Pick: Pacers +11.5
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