Celtics vs. Pacers Prediction
Will the Indiana Pacers be able to defend their home floor tonight when they take on the Boston Celtics at 7PM ET?
501 Boston Celtics vs. 502 Indiana Pacers
Wednesday, December 11, 2010
7PM ET – Bankers Life Fieldhouse
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Indiana is favored at home, as the Pacers are getting odds of -1.5 points against the Celtics. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 210 points. The public betting currently has 87 percent going on the Celtics as the road underdog. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Celtics hit the road
Boston is riding a four-game win streak and four-game cover streak right now. The Celtics have had their last three wins come at home. Boston is 17-5 on the season, 7-5 on the road, 14-6-2 against the spread and 14-8 with the under.
The Celtics are playing well on both sides of the ball this year. The defense is giving up just 102.8 points per game while limiting opponents to 43 percent shooting. Offensively, Boston is putting up 110.6 points per game while shooting 45.1 percent from the floor. Kemba Walker is leading Boston with 21.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. Jayson Tatum is adding 21.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per contest.
Pacers hitting a speed bump
Indiana is coming off a 110-99 loss at home to the Clippers on Monday night. The Pacers have lost two of their last three and failed to cover in all three of the games. Indiana is coming into the game 15-9 on the season, 9-3 at home, 12-11-1 against the spread and 13-10-1 with the under.
The Pacers are one of the stronger defensive teams in the league, but aren’t a terribly great offense. Indiana gives up just 104.7 points per game while holding opponents to 43.9 percent shooting. Offensively, the Pacers are putting up 108.8 points per game while shooting 46.8 percent from the field. Malcolm Brogdon has been leading the team with 19.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game while Domontas Sabonis is adding 18.4 points and 13.5 rebounds per outing.
NBA Betting Trends
Boston
The Celtics have covered the spread in five straight games as an underdog and in five of their last six following a win.
Indiana
The Pacers are 10-4-1 against the spread in their last 15 games playing on 1 day of rest and 21-5 ATS int heir last 26 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Prediction:
The Celtics have won seven straight meetings with the Pacers, covering in all five as well. These two haven’t met this season, though, and both have a lot of new parts. The Pacers have a nice record, but they haven’t really beaten many impressive teams this year. If you look at their victories, their best wins come against an average Nets team. They have struggled when facing good teams. Boston certainly fits that category. The Celtics have had some lulls, but have playing competitive with the best teams in the league and have the balance of scoring and defense to contend in the East. I think the Celtics can take this game outright, so I will take them with the points.
NBA Prediction: Boston Celtics +1.5