Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers Prediction, Preview and Odds - 01/08/2024

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Monday, January 8, 2024

Venue:  Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN 

Where to Watch:  BSIN

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Celtics -2.5, Pacers +2.5; Over/Under:  243.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Celtics -2.5, Pacers +2.5; Over/Under:  243.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Celtics -2.5, Pacers +2.5; Over/Under:  243.5 points

Boston Celtics:  28-7 (1st place, Atlantic Division)

Indiana Pacers:  20-15 (2nd place, Central Division)

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Boston Celtics:  8-2 last 10

Indiana Pacers:  7-3 last 10

The Celtics are entering this game with a 28-7 record overall and they are 11-7 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game winning streak with wins coming against the Utah Jazz and the Indiana Pacers in their last game. Jayson Tatum led the team in points in that game with 38 while Jaylen Brown was next on the team with 31 points. Al Horford led the team in assists in that game with 8 while Jayson Tatum led the team in rebounds with 13. They were 51.1% from the field, 39% from 3-point range, and 52.6% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 120.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 110.1 PPG against them. The Celtics have an ATS record of 18-15-2 this season and their O/U record is 19-16.

The Pacers are entering this game with a 20-15 record overall and they are 11-8 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Boston Celtics in their last game. Bennedict Mathurin led the team in points in that game with 20 while Tyrese Haliburton was next on the team with 17 points. Tyrese Haliburton led the team in assists in that game with 17 while Jalen Smith and Myles Turner each led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 41.3% from the field, 19% from 3-point range, and 77.3% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 126.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 124.2 PPG against them. The Pacers have an ATS record of 20-16 this season and their O/U record is 23-11-2.

The current betting odds have the Celtics listed as a 2.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Celtics have looked great in their games this season with their 28-7 record overall which leads the East and is the best record in the NBA right now. They have also looked good in their road games with their 11-7 road record. Meanwhile, the Pacers have looked good in their games this season with their 20-15 record overall but they are climbing the standings in the East while the Celtics are leading the pack and have been for most of the season. The Pacers are only 11-8 in their home games too so they haven't been that dominant on their home court and the Celtics just beat them in their last game the other night. The Pacers lead the league in scoring with their high pace offense but they also have one of the worst defenses in the NBA and that is where the Celtics have a big advantage on them. The Celtics already beat them the other night in Indiana and this game is going to be no different with a rested Celtics team that has been playing really well lately. 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 Monday, January 8, 2024 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Celtics 122 Pacers 114.

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Boston Celtics: 3-6 ATS as a road favorite of 6 points or less. 3-6 ATS off a road win. 11-22 ATS after 2 consecutive covers as a favorite. 8-2 OVER off a road win. 12-5 OVER after a win by 10 points or more. 13-7 OVER after 2 or more consecutive wins.

Indiana Pacers: 7-1 ATS revenging a same season loss vs opponent. 17-7 ATS after playing 3 consecutive home games. 26-17 ATS against Atlantic division opponents. 25-11 OVER in all games. 14-5 OVER in home games. 38-15 OVER off a home loss.

Boston Celtics:  K. Porzingis (PF) Ques Mon - Eye.

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

“(Indiana) is really good. When we play connected basketball, with physical half-court defense and intentional, poised offense, we play better, and that’s kind of what we did.” - Joe Mazzulla after his team’s win against the Pacers in their game on Saturday.

“We missed a lot of shots. They’re a really good defensive team, but we shot a lot of shots that we like. Just didn’t capitalize on them.” - Tyrese Haliburton after their loss against the Celtics in their game on Saturday.

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 (27.5)

APG: D. White (5.1)

Reb/G: J. Tatum (8.7)

PPG: T. Haliburton (24.2)

APG: T. Haliburton (12.7)

Reb/G: M. Turner (7.3)

Coaches:

Boston Celtics: Joe Mazzulla (2nd season)

Indiana Pacers: Rick Carlisle (3rd season)