The Indiana Pacers (15-16) travel to face off against the Boston Celtics (22-8) on Friday, December 27th. This game will be played at TD Garden in Boston and televised on NBCS. Both the Pacers and Celtics will be looking to bounce back from losses in their previous games. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 ET.

Pacers vs Celtics

The Pacers Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

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

Indiana started strong, going on a 10-0 run and leading 29-19 after the 1st quarter. However, the Thunder chipped away at the lead, and after a 30-23 3rd quarter, the Pacers found themselves trailing 84-83 going into the 4th. Oklahoma City outscored Indiana 37-30 in the final period to seal the win.

The Celtics Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

Boston’s Christmas Day didn’t go as planned, as they fell 118-114 to the 76ers at home. The Celtics, now 22-8, were -9.5 point favorites but failed to cover the spread. The total score of 232 points went over the line of 222.

After tying the game at 82 heading into the 4th quarter, the Celtics couldn’t stop a 12-0 run by the 76ers, who took the lead from 85-84 to 96-85. Boston’s 24-16 3rd quarter wasn’t enough to hold off Philadelphia’s strong finish, as they outscored the Celtics 36-32 in the final period.

Pacers Offense Breakdown

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% clip.

As a team, the Pacers connected on 14 threes, shooting 38.9% from deep and 47.2% overall. Nembhard scored 11 points in the 2nd quarter, while Bennedict Mathurin also added 11 of his 18 points in the period.

Celtics Offense Breakdown

In their 118-114 loss to the 76ers, the Celtics hit 20 threes at a 40.8% clip, though their overall shooting was just 45.3%. Jayson Tatum led the way with 32 points and 15 rebounds, knocking down 4 threes at 50% efficiency.

Jaylen Brown added 23 points, with 14 coming in the 3rd quarter, while Derrick White contributed 21 points and 5 threes, scoring 10 in the 4th. Tatum also had 11 points in both the 2nd and 4th quarters.

Pacers Team Defense

The Pacers started strong defensively, giving up just 19 points in the 1st quarter, but they struggled in the 2nd and 4th quarters, allowing 34 and 37 points, respectively, in a 120-114 loss to the Thunder. Indiana held Oklahoma City to 46% shooting overall and 35% from beyond the arc, where the Thunder hit 13 threes.

Indiana sent Oklahoma City to the free-throw line 24 times, where the Thunder converted 19 attempts. The Pacers grabbed 40 defensive rebounds while allowing 9 offensive boards. They also recorded 8 blocks but managed just 1 steal in the game.

Celtics Team Defense

The Pacers started strong defensively, holding the Thunder to just 19 points in the 1st quarter, but they struggled in the 4th, giving up 37 points in a 120-114 loss. 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 line 24 times, where they made 19 free throws. The Pacers grabbed 40 defensive rebounds while allowing 9 offensive boards, and they finished with 8 blocks.

Pacers vs Celtics Trends

• Indiana has played well in their previous three road games, going 3-0 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 117 points per game while allowing 103. The team also performed well vs the spread at 3-0.
• Although Boston has a straight up record of 3-2 in their last five home games, they have not held up as well vs. the spread going 1-4. The team averaged 117 points per game in these games.
• Spanning across their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Pacers have gone 5-5 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 5-5.
• Spanning across their last three games as the betting favorite, the Celtics have gone 1-2 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 1-2.

Pacers vs Celtics Prediction

We’re calling a win for the Celtics, with a final score of 142-125, and we’re taking them to cover the spread. Our recommendation is to bet on the Celtics at -11.5.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 232.5 and our model has the Pacers and Celtics finishing with a combined 267 points. Our pick is to take the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.