Celtics vs. Pacers Prediction
Following another second-half collapse, will the Indiana Pacers be able to bounce back tonight at home when they host the Boston Celtics at 8:30PM ET?
553 Boston Celtics vs. 554 Indiana Pacers
Friday, April 19, 2019
8:30PM ET – Bankers Life Fieldhouse
TV: ABC
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers, the Pacers are favored at home today, as they are getting odds of -3 points against the Celtics. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 204 points. The public betting for the contest has 61 percent going on Boston on the road. 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 rally again
Boston rallied in the fourth quarter to overcome a double-digit deficit and win Game 2, 99-91 to take a 2-0 series lead over Indiana. The Celtics managed to cover the 7.5-point spread as well. Boston is now 51-33 overall, 21-20 on the road, 40-42-2 against the spread and 47-37 with the over.
The Celtics had a 31-12 fourth quarter led them to the win on Wednesday. Boston shot 40 of 84 from the field and 11 of 28 from the arc. As a team, Boston had a 48-36 edge on the glass. Kyrie Irving led the charge with 37 points and seven assists while Jayson Tatum had 26 points and four rebounds. Gordon Hayward added 13 points and five rebounds off the bench.
Pacers hit a wall
Indiana suffered another loss where it was held below 100 points. The Pacers have scored under 100 in four of their last five games, all losses. Indiana is now 48-36 on the season, 29-12 at home, 41-42-1 against the spread and 48-36 with the under.
The Pacers struggled on offense once again, going just 36 of 81 from the field and 13 of 34 from the arc. Bojan Bogdanovic had his moments, scoring a team-high 23 points. However, he was only 9 of 21 shooting. Thaddeus Young added 15 points and six rebounds with three steals. Tyreke Evans added 13 points and seven rebounds off the bench.
NBA Betting Trends
Boston
The Celtics are 10-2-1 against the spread in their last 13 conference quarterfinal games and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 Friday games.
Indiana
The Pacers are 6-0 ATS in their last six home games following a road trip of a week or more. They are also 7-2 ATS in their last nine Friday games.
Prediction:
The Pacers have actually had this series work in their favor, they just haven’t been able to close out games. Indiana has kept Boston’s offense in check and dictated the pace of play. With this series moving to Indy, I think the Pacers will have a better chance to close out the game. Their defense should continue to give problems for Boston and the Celtics won’t have the ability to put together such big rallies late. Indiana should also see a small boost in shooting on its home floor.
NBA Prediction: Indiana Pacers -3