Boston Celtics at Indiana Pacers odds, picks and predictions

Nathan Beighle | Staff Writer

The Indiana Pacers (20-14) welcome the Boston Celtics (27-7) to Gainbridge Fieldhouse Saturday. Tip is set for 7 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Celtics vs. Pacers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

Season series: Tied 1-1.

The Pacers beat the Boston Celtics at home 122-112 in the last battle, covering as 4.5-point underdogs. They are coming off a 150-116 win over the Atlanta Hawks Friday, covering as 3-point home favorites. Indiana is 20-14 against the spread (ATS) on the season and has covered in 6 straight games. It is led by G Tyrese Haliburton, who is averaging 24.4 points per game.

The Celtics beat the Utah Jazz 126-97 Friday, covering as 14-point home favorites. They are 17-15-2 ATS on the season and 4-2 ATS over their last 6 road games. Boston has won 7 of its last 8 and has covered in 5 of those battles. It is led by F Jayson Tatum, who is averaging 27.1 points per game.

Celtics at Pacers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:33 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Celtics -225 (bet $225 to win $100) | Pacers +180 (bet $100 to win $180)
Against the spread (ATS): Celtics -5.5 (-115) | Pacers +5.5 (-105)
Over/Under (O/U): 247.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Celtics at Pacers key injuries

Celtics

C Al Horford (rest) questionable

Pacers

G Andrew Nembhard (back) questionable
G Aaron Nesmith (ankle) questionable

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

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Celtics at Pacers picks and predictions

Prediction

Celtics 126, Pacers 124

Moneyline

PASS.

The Pacers, like the Celtics, are surging, having won 6 in a row, but at this value, take Indiana on the spread instead of the moneyline.

Against the spread

BET PACERS +5.5 (-105).

The Pacers are tied for the 5th-best covering rate in the NBA and are 11-7 ATS at home per TeamRankings. That is the 9th-best home-covering rate in the NBA.

Indiana has covered 6 in a row and 3 straight as an underdog. Boston is just 6-9-2 ATS on the road. It has failed to cover in 3 of its last 5 and lost by 10 to Indiana in Indianapolis earlier in the season.

Take PACERS +5.5 (-105).

Over/Under

LEAN OVER 247.5 (-110).

If there's one thing both teams can do, it is score the ball. Indiana is 23-11 O/U on the season and has gone Over in 3 of its last 4 despite incredibly high totals. It went Over against the Hawks with a closing total of 262 Friday and against the Bucks with a closing total of 258 Wednesday.

The Celtics are 18-15-1 O/U on the season and 7-2 O/U in their last 9 games. Boston has scored 123 or more in 3 straight games and has allowed at least 118 in 3 of its last 5. Playing against a team that goes at an ultra-fast pace, expect a high-tempo game from Boston.

Back OVER 247.5 (-110).

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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