Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Betting Pick & Prediction 12/29/24

The Pacers head to Boston to take on the Celtics in an Eastern Conference matchup. Indiana is currently on a two-game losing streak and is 8th in the East. The Celtics are 2nd in the conference and have a record of 23-8.

Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 ET at TD Garden. NBCS will broadcast the game. Boston is favored by 11.5 and the over/under is set at 233.5.

INDIANA PACERS VS BOSTON CELTICS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Boston Celtics -11.5

This game will be played at TD Garden at 6:00 ET on Sunday, December 29th.

WHY BET THE BOSTON CELTICS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 142-126 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.

Do the Pacers Have What it Takes in Boston?

The Pacers dropped to 15-17 on the season after a 142-105 road loss to the Celtics on Friday. Indiana entered the game as +12 point underdogs but failed to cover the spread. The total score of 247 points exceeded the O/U line of 230.5 by 16.5 points.

A 10-0 run by Boston early in the game set the tone, as they stretched their lead from 18-13 to 28-13. The Pacers couldn’t recover, trailing 39-22 after the 1st quarter. Despite a more competitive 2nd and 3rd quarter, Indiana entered the 4th down 103-78 and were outscored 39-27 in the final period.

In their 142-105 loss to the Celtics, the Pacers struggled offensively, shooting just 41.8% from the field and 28.2% from three-point range, hitting only 11 threes. Tyrese Haliburton led the way with 19 points and 9 assists, connecting on 3 threes at 37.5% efficiency.

Bennedict Mathurin added 18 points, while Jarace Walker contributed 15, scoring 9 of those in the 4th quarter. Haliburton also had 9 points in the 3rd quarter, with 8 more in the 2nd.

The Pacers struggled defensively against the Celtics, giving up 142 points in a tough loss. Indiana allowed 39 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters, with Boston shooting 51% from the field overall.

Boston hit 23 threes at a 41% clip, and the Pacers sent them to the line 29 times, where they made 25 free throws. Indiana recorded 26 defensive rebounds but allowed 18 offensive boards, finishing with 5 steals and 3 blocks.

Can Boston Lock in a Home Win?

Boston improved to 23-8 on the season with a dominant 142-105 win over the Pacers on Friday. The Celtics, who were favored by 12 points, covered the spread with ease. The total score of 247 points exceeded the O/U line of 230.5 by 16.5 points.

Boston set the tone early with a 10-0 run, stretching their lead from 18-13 to 28-13. They outscored Indiana 39-22 in the 1st quarter and kept the pressure on, winning each quarter and finishing with a 39-27 edge in the 4th.

Jaylen Brown’s 44-point performance, including 15 in the opening quarter, propelled the Celtics to a 142-point outburst in their win over the Pacers. Brown hit 6 threes at 54.5%, while the team connected on 23 threes at 41.1% overall.

Jayson Tatum added 22 points and 13 rebounds, with 12 points coming in the 3rd quarter. Payton Pritchard chipped in 18 points and 10 assists, knocking down 4 threes in the victory.

Boston’s defense was solid on Friday, holding the Pacers to 105 points. They gave up 22 points in the 1st quarter and 23 in the 2nd. Indiana scored 33 in the 3rd, but the Celtics tightened up in the 4th, allowing 27 points.

The Celtics limited the Pacers to 41% shooting, including just 28% from three, with Indiana making 11 threes. Boston also recorded 9 steals and 6 blocks in the game.