The Indiana Pacers (17-13) will have their hands full against the NBA’s top scoring defense when they square off against the Boston Celtics (25-7) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, December 18, 2017, and will air on NBATV.
Boston is a 2-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 206.5 points.
Boston Celtics at Indiana Pacers Betting Prediction
The Celtics come in on a high note after defeating the Memphis Grizzlies in their last outing, 102-93. Boston’s 33.3 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over Memphis, who had a mark of 26.3. The Celtics’ mark was above their season average of 21.0. Boston was led by Jayson Tatum, who contributed 19 points and nine rebounds.
The last time the Pacers played, they were victorious over the Brooklyn Nets, 109-97. Indiana’s 21.4 offensive rebounding percentage was their largest advantage over Brooklyn, who had a mark of 15.9. The Pacers’ mark was below their season average of 22.2, while the Nets’ was below their season average of 21.9. Victor Oladipo was the top scorer from either team with 26 points on 9-for-14 shooting.
Indiana may have trouble getting to the charity stripe in this battle. The Pacers currently rank 26th in the NBA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.173, while Boston ranks eighth in FTA rate allowed (0.181).
Boston comes into the game with records of 25-7 straight up (SU) and 21-9-2 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is highly precise when predicting totals of Celtics games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Meanwhile, Indiana owns records of 17-13 SU and 17-12 ATS. Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Pacers games, with 15 unders compared to 13 overs.
Oladipo has averaged 30.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.8 steals over the last five games for Indiana.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Al Horford had 21 points, six assists and five rebounds and the Celtics beat the Pacers 108-98, covering as 3.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 206 points, which was just 2.5 points above the projected point total of 203.5 points. The Celtics’ 14.3 turnover percentage was their largest strength over the Pacers, who had a mark of 18.3.
Boston Celtics vs. Indiana Pacers Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Boston is 12-4 ATS with 9 unders and 7 overs.
Indiana is 9-7 ATS at home with 10 unders, 5 overs and 1 push.
Indiana is 8-0 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Boston is 18-0.
When reaching the century mark, the Celtics are 18-3 and the Pacers are 15-5.
Boston ranks fourth in blocks allowed per game (4.1) while Indiana ranks 28th (5.6).
The Pacers rank fourth in points off turnovers per game (19.0) while the Celtics rank 28th (13.9).
Boston ranks second in second chance points allowed per game (10.3) while Indiana ranks 24th (13.9).
The Celtics rank eighth in points allowed in the paint per game (41.6) while the Pacers rank 27th (47.5).
Boston ranks seventh in three pointers attempted per game (31.0) while Indiana ranks 24th in three pointers allowed per game (31.0).
The Celtics rank fourth in assists allowed per game (20.4) while the Pacers rank 19th (23.5).
Indiana ranks third in fast break points per game (15.1) while Boston ranks 16th (9.8).
The Celtics rank 11th in rebounds per game (44.3) while the Pacers rank 18th in rebounds allowed per game (43.5).
Boston ranks fourth in steals allowed per game (6.9) while Indiana ranks seventh (7.1).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Boston is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Indiana is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Celtics have been outscored by an average of 2.0 points in their last five games. For the season, Boston has defeated opponents by an average of 5.5 points.
During their last five games, the Pacers have scored an average of 106.8 points per game (1.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 103.8 points per game (3.0 below their season average).
