Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers Prediction, Preview and Odds - 05/25/2024

Game Time: 8:30 pm ET, Saturday, May 25, 2024

Venue:  Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN 

Where to Watch:  ABC

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Celtics -7, Pacers +7; Over/Under:  222.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Celtics -7, Pacers +7; Over/Under:  222.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Celtics -6.5, Pacers +6.5; Over/Under:  222.5 points

Boston Celtics:  64-18 (1st place, Atlantic Division)

Indiana Pacers:  47-35 (3rd place, Central Division)

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Boston Celtics:  9-1 last 10

Indiana Pacers:  5-5 last 10

The Celtics are entering this game with a 64-18 record overall to finish the regular season and they were 27-14 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 5 game winning streak with wins coming against the Cleveland Cavaliers 3 times in a row and the Indiana Pacers in their last 2 games. In their last game against the Pacers in game 2 of this series, Jaylen Brown led the team in points in that game with 40 while Jayson Tatum and Derrick White each were next on the team with 23 points. Jrue Holiday led the team in assists in that game with 10 while Al Horford led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 53.4% from the field, 40.5% from 3-point range, and 85% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 120.6 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 109.2 PPG against them. The Celtics have an ATS record of 48-41-5 this season and their O/U record is 50-44.

The Pacers are entering this game with a 47-35 record overall to finish the regular season and they were 26-15 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game losing streak with losses coming against the Boston Celtics in their last 2 games. In their last game against the Celtics in game 2 of this series, Pascal Siakam led the team in points in that game with 28 while Andrew Nembhard was next on the team with 16 points. Tyrese Haliburton led the team in assists in that game with 8 while Pascal Siakam, Isaiah Jackson, and T. J. McConnell each led the team in rebounds with 5. They were 52.4% from the field, 37.9% from 3-point range, and 68.8% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 123.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 120.2 PPG against them. The Pacers have an ATS record of 52-43-3 this season and their O/U record is 52-44-2.

The current betting odds have the Celtics listed as a 7 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. This is game 3 of a 7 game series between the 1st seeded Celtics and the 6th seeded Pacers for the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA playoffs. The Celtics have a 2-0 series lead after winning game 2 of this series on their home court. The Celtics stumbled in game 1 of this series as there was a chance they were going to lose that game on their home court, but they managed to win it by 5 points in OT and played a lot better in game 2. They came out really strong in game 2 and had control of the game right from the start, this time not allowing the Pacers to come back as often as they did in game 1. The Celtics were able to keep the Pacers at an arm's length all night, and this game is going to be really similar now that the Pacers could be missing one of their best players. Tyrese Haliburton injured his hamstring in game 2 and the Pacers weren't able to do much without him on the floor. The Pacers have no chance to beat the Celtics if he misses this game and even if he does play, he won't be 100% with a soft tissue injury. The Pacers have looked a lot better in their home games this season so they are going to bring a better effort in this game, but even with their 26-15 home record this season, the Celtics still had a better 27-14 road record this year. The Celtics have looked great throughout all of their playoff series so far and they will have no trouble taking a 3-0 series lead here against another banged up team they get to face. The best way to place a bet here is on the Celtics to cover the spread in this game. 

Celtics Pacers Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Saturday, May 25, 2024 (8:30 pm ET start time) is Celtics 121 Pacers 107.

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Boston Celtics: 3-6 ATS off 3 or more consecutive home wins. 2-5 ATS after 4 or more consecutive overs. 12-7 OVER when leading in a playoff series. 28-20 OVER after a game where they covered the spread. 4-0 OVER after 2 straight games - allowing a shooting pct. of 50% or higher.

Indiana Pacers: 31-12 ATS after a game where they failed to cover the spread. 8-4 ATS after 2 or more consecutive losses. 9-2 ATS after a blowout loss by 15 points or more. 29-18 OVER in home games. 19-8 OVER against Atlantic division opponents. 9-2 OVER after 4 or more consecutive overs.

Boston Celtics:  X. Tillman (PF) Ques Sat - Personal. K. Porzingis (PF) Prob Mon - Calf.

Indiana Pacers:  T. Haliburton (PG) Ques Sat - Leg. B. Mathurin (SG) out for season - Shoulder.

“I think he cares about it in a way that motivates him, and I think he doesn’t really care about it at all. He understands that winning is the most important thing. He just cares about the right stuff.” - Joe Mazzulla after his team’s win against the Pacers in game 2 of this series on Thursday.

“We need Ty, but ‘next man’ mentality. We’ve got to play together. This team got where we’re at by playing together. ... It’s on us to continue.” - Pascal Siakam after their loss against the Celtics in game 2 of this series on Thursday.

PG Jrue Holiday

SG Derrick White

SF Jaylen Brown

PF Jayson Tatum

C Al Horford

PG Tyrese Haliburton

SG Andrew Nembhard

SF Aaron Nesmith 

PF Pascal Siakam 

C Myles Turner

PPG: J. Tatum (26.9)

APG: D. White (5.2)

Reb/G: J. Tatum (8.1)

PPG: P. Siakam (21.7)

APG: T. Haliburton (10.9)

Reb/G: P. Siakam (7.1)

Coaches:

Boston Celtics: Joe Mazzulla (2nd season)

Indiana Pacers: Rick Carlisle (3rd season)