The Boston Celtics (17-5) will travel to Bankers Life Fieldhouse to take on the Indiana Pacers (15-9). The Celtics opened as 1.5-point underdogs. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 209.5 points and action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 11, 2019.
Boston Celtics at Indiana Pacers Betting Odds
The Celtics easily got past the Cleveland Cavaliers in their last game, 110-88, comfortably covering as 13-point favorites. The Pacers, meanwhile, were beaten by the Los Angeles Clippers, 110-99, and were not able to cover as 3-point underdogs. The Boston game finished 18 points under the projected point total of 216, while the Indiana game finished 8.5 points under the projected point total of 217.5.
Boston’s 0.673 effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Cleveland, who had a rate of 0.434. The Celtics’ mark was above their season average of 0.514, while the Cavaliers’ was below their season average of 0.494. Indiana, meanwhile, did a terrific job of getting and making free throws (21-28; 75.0 percent). Indiana received a boost from Domantas Sabonis, who finished with 18 points and 22 rebounds. Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum fueled Boston with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
The Celtics edged out the Pacers in this series last year, taking seven out of eight contests. In the last contest, Boston won 110-106. Boston did a great job of getting and making free throws (27-34; 79.4 percent). Indiana, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (10.7 vs. 14.7). This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Celtics games have typically gone under the total (63.6 percent). Boston holds records of 17-5 straight up (SU) and 14-7-1 against the spread (ATS).
Coinciding with Boston, games involving the Pacers also tend to go under the O/U total (58.3 percent). Additionally, Indiana is 15-9 SU and 11-11-2 ATS.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when a pair of the league’s slowest-paced teams clash. Indiana currently ranks 21st in possessions per game (101.8) and Boston is 23rd (101.4).
Boston Celtics at Indiana Pacers Betting Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Pacers allow the second-fewest fast break points per game (11.2) while the Celtics rank third (11.7).
- Indiana ranks fourth in three pointers allowed per game (31.4) while Boston ranks 25th (35.5).
- The Pacers rank 10th in blocks per game (5.3) while the Celtics rank 22nd in blocks allowed per game (5.5).
- Boston ranks first in points off turnovers allowed per game (13.8) while Indiana ranks ninth (16.4).
- Indiana ranks 20th in second chance points per game (12.4) while Boston ranks 23rd in second chance points allowed per game (13.9).
- The Celtics rank fourth in steals per game (8.6) while the Pacers rank 23rd (6.9).
- The Pacers average 44.6 rebounds per game, which ranks 17th in the NBA. The Celtics rank 22nd in rebounds allowed per game (46.5).
- Indiana ranks fifth in assists allowed per game (22.3) while Boston ranks sixth (22.4).
- Boston ranks third in points allowed in the paint per game (41.8) while Indiana ranks 17th (48.3).
- When allowing less than 100 points, Boston is 6-1 and Indiana is 4-1.
- The Pacers are 15-5 when they score above 100 points, while the Celtics are 16-2.
- Indiana is 5-5-2 ATS at home, while Boston is 7-4-1 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone under in 7 of the Pacers’ 12 home games, while 8 of the Celtics’ 12 road games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- The Celtics are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Pacers are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Boston has 3 unders and 2 overs, while Indiana has 4 unders and 1 over.
- The Celtics’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 11.6, up from 7.9 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Pacers have scored an average of 105.6 points per game (3.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 105.0 points per game (0.3 above their season average).
