Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Betting Pick & Prediction 12/27/24

At 7:30 ET, the 2nd place Celtics (-601) will host the 8th place Pacers (+435) in an Eastern Conference matchup. Boston (-11.5) is currently on a 2-game losing streak and will look to get back on track at home in TD Garden.

This game will be televised on NBCS and the over/under line is set at 232.5 points.

INDIANA PACERS VS BOSTON CELTICS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Boston Celtics -11.5

This game will be played at TD Garden at 7:30 ET on Friday, December 27th.

WHY BET THE BOSTON CELTICS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 142-125 in favor of the Celtics.
• Our projections have Jayson Tatum finishing with 27 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists.
• From the field, we have the Celtics finishing with a field goal percentage of 47.7% and knocking down 20 threes.

Will Indiana Secure A Victory as Road Underdogs?

The Pacers dropped to 15-16 on the season after a 120-114 home loss to the Thunder on Thursday. Indiana entered the game as +5.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total score of 234 points exceeded the O/U line of 227.5.

Indiana started strong, going on a 10-0 run to open the game and leading 29-19 after the 1st quarter. However, the Thunder chipped away at the lead, and after a 30-23 3rd quarter, OKC took control in the 4th, outscoring the Pacers 37-30 to seal the win.

Andrew Nembhard led the Pacers with 23 points and 7 assists in their 120-114 loss to the Thunder, shooting 52.9% from the field. Pascal Siakam added 22 points and 10 rebounds, hitting 5 threes at a 71.4% rate. Bennedict Mathurin contributed 18 points, despite shooting just 38.5% from the field.

As a team, the Pacers shot 47.2% overall, making 14 threes at a 38.9% clip. Siakam scored 10 points in the 1st quarter, while Nembhard and Mathurin each had 11 points in the 2nd quarter.

The Pacers put together a strong defensive effort in the 1st quarter, holding the Thunder to just 19 points, but they struggled in the 2nd and 4th quarters, giving up 34 and 37 points, respectively, leading to a 120-114 loss. Overall, Indiana allowed Oklahoma City to shoot 46% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Pacers limited the Thunder to 13 made threes on 35% shooting. Indiana sent Oklahoma City to the free-throw line 24 times, where they made 19. The Pacers collected 40 defensive rebounds, gave up 9 offensive boards, and recorded 8 blocks.

Can the Celtics Grab a Win at Home?

The Celtics fell to 22-8 on the season after a 118-114 home loss to the 76ers on Wednesday. Boston, who were -9.5 point favorites, not only lost the game but also failed to cover the spread. The total score of 232 points went over the line of 222.

Boston trailed 66-58 at halftime but tied the game at 82 after a strong 3rd quarter. However, the 76ers went on a 12-0 run in the 4th, taking the score from 85-84 to 96-85, and the Celtics couldn’t recover.

The Celtics connected on 20 threes at a 40.8% clip in their Christmas Day loss to the 76ers, but their overall shooting percentage was just 45.3%. Jayson Tatum led the way with 32 points and 15 rebounds, hitting 4 threes at 50% efficiency.

Jaylen Brown added 23 points, including 14 in the 3rd quarter, while Derrick White contributed 21 points, making 5 threes and scoring 10 points in the 4th. Tatum also had 11 points in the final period.

Defensively, the Celtics had a strong 3rd quarter, holding the 76ers to just 16 points, but they struggled in the 2nd and 4th quarters, giving up 36 points in each. Overall, Boston allowed 118 points on 46% shooting from the field.

The Celtics also gave up 17 three-pointers, with Philadelphia shooting 42% from deep. The 76ers were perfect from the free-throw line, going 19/19. Boston finished with 38 defensive rebounds, allowing 5 offensive boards, and recorded 3 steals and 4 blocks.