Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers Prediction, Preview and Odds - 01/06/2024

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Saturday, January 6, 2024

Venue:  Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN

Where to Watch:  BSIN

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Celtics -5.5, Pacers +5.5; Over/Under:  245.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Celtics -5.5, Pacers +5.5; Over/Under:  245.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Celtics -5.5, Pacers +5.5; Over/Under:  245.5 points

Boston Celtics:  26-7 (1st place, Atlantic Division)

Indiana Pacers:  19-14 (2nd place, Central Division)

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Boston Celtics:  8-2 last 10

Indiana Pacers:  6-4 last 10

The Celtics are entering this game with a 26-7 record overall and they are 10-7 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder in their last game, but this is also the 2nd game of a back-to-back for them with their game against the Utah Jazz still to be played on Friday night. In their game against the Thunder, Kristaps Porziņģis led the team in points in that game with 34 while Jayson Tatum was next on the team with 30 points. Jayson Tatum led the team in assists in that game with 8 while Jayson Tatum led the team in rebounds with 13. They were 45.7% from the field, 37.5% from 3-point range, and 82.8% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 120.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 110.8 PPG against them. The Celtics have an ATS record of 16-15-2 this season and their O/U record is 19-14.

The Pacers are entering this game with a 19-14 record overall and they are 10-7 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 5 game winning streak with wins coming against the Houston Rockets, the Chicago Bulls, the New York Knicks, and the Milwaukee Bucks in their last 2 games, but this is also the 2nd game of a back-to-back for them with their game against the Atlanta Hawks still to be played on Friday night. In their last game against the Bucks, Tyrese Haliburton led the team in points in that game with 31 while Bennedict Mathurin was next on the team with 16 points. Tyrese Haliburton led the team in assists in that game with 12 while Obi Toppin led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 55.6% from the field, 40% from 3-point range, and 82.4% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 126.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 124.6 PPG against them. The Pacers have an ATS record of 19-15 this season and their O/U record is 22-10-2.

The current betting odds have the Celtics listed as a 5.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Celtics have looked great in their games this season with their 26-7 record overall which is the best record in the NBA right now. They have been leading the league for most of the season but they have been more vulnerable in their road games with their 10-7 road record. Meanwhile, the Pacers have looked good in their games with their 19-14 record overall but they haven't been that great on their home court as they only have a 10-7 home record this season. They are coming into this one very hot with their 5 wins in a row and they have beaten some good teams on this streak, but the Celtics are coming off a loss in their last one and they will be looking to bounce back here. The Celtics were beaten on the road by the Thunder who look to be a real power in the West right now but they will be looking to erase that loss with a big road win here. They also have the extra motivation against the Pacers since the Pacers were the team to knock them out of the NBA In-Season Tournament so that along with the loss against OKC in their last one will be enough to motivate the Celtics for a big performance. The best way to place a bet here is on the Celtics to cover the spread in this game. 

Celtics Pacers Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Saturday, January 6, 2024 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Celtics 142 Pacers 117.

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Boston Celtics: 5-9 ATS as a road favorite. 8-14 ATS revenging a straight up loss vs opponent as a road favorite. 24-8 OVER when playing on back-to-back days. 12-4 OVER after a win by 10 points or more. 12-4 OVER after a game where they covered the spread.

Indiana Pacers: 26-16 ATS against Atlantic division opponents. 8-3 ATS off 2 or more consecutive home wins. 22-15 ATS as a home underdog of 6 points or less. 25-10 OVER in all games. 14-4 OVER in home games. 17-7 OVER after one or more consecutive overs.

Boston Celtics:  A. Horford (C) Ques Fri - Rest.

Indiana Pacers:  A. Nembhard (PG) Ques Fri - Back. B. Brown (PG) Ques Fri - Knee.

“I thought it was two great teams. The game went about how I thought it would go as far as it coming down to the last couple of possessions.” - Joe Mazzulla after his team’s loss against the Thunder in their game on Tuesday.

“I think as a young group when you play good teams, you want to be as prepared for them as you can for them. But I think part of the maturation of this group has to be to continue that competitiveness and being up for games that aren't against the Bucks.” - Tyrese Haliburton after their win against the Bucks in their game on Wednesday.

PG Jrue Holiday

SG Derrick White

SF Jaylen Brown

PF Jayson Tatum

C Kristaps Porzingis

PG Tyrese Haliburton

SG Bruce Brown

SF Aaron Nesmith

PF Jalen Smith

C Myles Turner

PPG: J. Tatum (27)

APG: D. White (5.3)

Reb/G: J. Tatum (8.5)

PPG: T. Haliburton (24.9)

APG: T. Haliburton (12.7)

Reb/G: M. Turner (7.3)

Coaches:

Boston Celtics: Joe Mazzulla (2nd season)

Indiana Pacers: Rick Carlisle (3rd season)