The Pacers and Celtics are both looking for escapes from their humdrum starts to the season as they square off Friday night at TD Garden.
The Pacers sit fourth in the East but have scuffled to a .500 record through their first 30 games, and are coming off a frustrating home loss to Golden State. And yet, they’re still better off than the host Celtics, who had high expectations entering the season but are two games below .500 entering Friday night.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
This line opened closer to -4 in some spots, but has settled in at -2.5 – and that might just represent significant value for Celtics backers. Boston might not be the best cover option for the season, but it has been magnificent on home court, going 9-4 ATS to date. Still, it’s worth considering that the Pacers own a solid 8-5 ATS record away from Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Sports Interaction bettors are siding with the Celtics at a whopping 80-percent clip.
The total for Friday’s marquee encounter is on the low side by today’s NBA standards at 218.5 – and 88 percent Sports Interaction respondents are taking the Over. Both teams have favourable O/U marks on the season, with the Pacers at 17-13 and the Celtics at 17-15. Boston has converted the over in four of its previous five games overall, and these teams are an identical 4-1 O/U in their last five head-to-head meetings.
Indiana Pacers
Coming back from a one-week break extended by a pair of cancellations due to COVID-19 protocols, the Pacers couldn’t find the energy to combat a tired Golden State team en route to a 111-107 defeat. Indiana shot a dreadful 24.1 percent from the 3-point line while committing 19 turnovers, falling to 3-7 against teams above .500 for the season. And things are about to get a whole lot more difficult for Indiana, which will play 12 of its next 15 games on the road.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics have gone from preseason conference title contenders to out of the East playoff picture in just 32 regular-season games. And one of their biggest problems has been ball distribution, with Boston ranked third-last in the NBA in assists (22.1); it also sits fifth from the bottom in assist-to-turnover ratio (15.6). The absence of Marcus Smart (who leads the team at 6.1 assists per game) has been a major factor, with Boston going 6-9 SU without him.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Pacers vs. Celtics?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 25 Feb 9:03pm | IND | -3 -110 | O +219 -110 |
| Closing 26 Feb 11:52pm | IND | -2.5 -110 | O +218.5 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Pacers Team Leaders
| Points |
21.18 |
| Assists |
6.69 |
| Rebounds |
11.97 |
| FG% |
62.5 |
| Steals |
1.86 |
| Blocks |
3.38 |
| Points |
26.44 |
| Assists |
5.69 |
| Rebounds |
8.13 |
| FG% |
72.4 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.75 |
| Points | |
| Assists | |
| Rebounds | Did not qualify |
| FG% | |
| Steals | |
| Blocks |
| Points |
30.6 |
| Assists |
6 |
| Rebounds |
9.8 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.2 |
| Blocks |
3 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
| Points |
21.18 |
| Assists |
6.69 |
| Rebounds |
11.97 |
| FG% |
62.5 |
| Steals |
1.86 |
| Blocks |
3.38 |
| Points |
26.44 |
| Assists |
5.69 |
| Rebounds |
8.13 |
| FG% |
72.4 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.75 |
| Points | |
| Assists | |
| Rebounds | Did not qualify |
| FG% | |
| Steals | |
| Blocks |
| Points |
30.6 |
| Assists |
6 |
| Rebounds |
9.8 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.2 |
| Blocks |
3 |
Injuries
Malcolm Brogdon (SG)
Edmond Sumner (PG)
Caris LeVert (SG)
T.J. McConnell (PG)
Caris LeVert (SG)
Aaron Holiday (PG)
Edmond Sumner (PG)
Goga Bitadze (C)
Edmond Sumner (PG)
Malcolm Brogdon (SG)
Kemba Walker (PG)
Robert Williams III (C)
Kemba Walker (PG)
Robert Williams III (C)
Robert Williams III (C)
Kemba Walker (PG)
Evan Fournier (SG)
Kemba Walker (PG)
Tristan Thompson (C)
Evan Fournier (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malcolm Brogdon (SG) | Ques Thurs | Hamstring - 19 / 05 / 21 | 0-0 | 0-0 | + - |
|
Brogdon is dealing with a sore right hamstring, and it remains to be seen if he will be available for Game 3 of the East Conference Play-In versus the Wizards. |
|||||
| Edmond Sumner (PG) | Ques Thurs | Knee - 19 / 05 / 21 | 0-0 | 0-0 | + - |
|
Sumner is bothered by a left knee contusion, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 3 of the East Conference Play-In versus the Wizards. |
|||||
| Caris LeVert (SG) | Out Thurs | Illness - 16 / 05 / 21 | 2-0 | 2-0 | + - |
|
LeVert is following the NBA's health and safety protocols, and he will not be active for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Play-In versus the Wizards. |
|||||
| T.J. McConnell (PG) | Ques Sat | Thumb - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-0 | 3-0 | + - |
|
McConnell was removed from the last contest with a thumb injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will take the court against the Lakers on Saturday. |
|||||
| Caris LeVert (SG) | Prob Sat | Knee - 13 / 05 / 21 | 4-0 | 3-1 | + - |
|
LeVert sat out the last game due to a right knee contusion, but it is anticipated that he will face the Lakers on Saturday. |
|||||
| Aaron Holiday (PG) | Ques Tues | Foot - 11 / 05 / 21 | 4-0 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Holiday is dealing with a sprained right toe, and it is undetermined if he will be in the lineup against the Hornets for game 2 of the Eastern Conference Play-In. |
|||||
| Edmond Sumner (PG) | Ques Tues | Knee - 11 / 05 / 21 | 4-0 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Sumner is bothered with a knee injury, and it remains to be seen if he will be available versus the Hornets for game 2 of the Eastern Conference Play-In. |
|||||
| Goga Bitadze (C) | Prob Thurs | Ankle - 06 / 05 / 21 | 6-1 | 5-3 | + - |
|
Bitadze is dealing with an ankle injury, but it is likely that he will face the Hawks on Thursday. |
|||||
| Edmond Sumner (PG) | Ques Sat | Knee - 05 / 05 / 21 | 6-2 | 6-3 | + - |
|
Sumner has missed the last two games with a left knee contusion, and it remains to be seen if he will dress for Saturday's tilt against the Wizards. |
|||||
| Malcolm Brogdon (SG) | Out indefinitely | Hamstring - 02 / 05 / 21 | 7-2 | 7-3 | + - |
|
Brogdon is sidelined with right hamstring soreness, and it remains to be seen when he will be active again. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kemba Walker (PG) | Out Tues | Knee - 29 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Walker is bothered by left knee soreness, and he will not dress for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Out Tues | Ankle - 28 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Williams III is nursing a left ankle sprain, and he will not take on the Nets in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Kemba Walker (PG) | Prob Fri | Knee - 27 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Walker is managing a left knee medial bone contusion, but it is likely that he will take the court to face the Nets in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Tues | Toe - 24 / 05 / 21 | 1-3 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Williams III is expected to dress for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round despite left foot turf toe. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Sat | Toe - 19 / 05 / 21 | 2-3 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Williams is bothered by left foot turf toe, but it is projected that he will be available versus the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Kemba Walker (PG) | Ques Tues | Neck - 16 / 05 / 21 | 3-3 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Walker is nursing left cervical nerve irritation, and it is up in the air if he will take the court for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In against the Wizards. |
|||||
| Evan Fournier (SG) | Prob Tues | Knee - 16 / 05 / 21 | 3-3 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Fournier is bothered by a right knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In versus the Wizards. |
|||||
| Kemba Walker (PG) | Out Sat | Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-4 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Walker will not take on the Timberwolves on Saturday as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Tristan Thompson (C) | Prob Tues | Pectoral - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-4 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Thompson is tending to a left pectoral strain, but it is projected that he will dress versus the Wizards for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In. |
|||||
| Evan Fournier (SG) | Prob Sat | Knee - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-4 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Fournier is bothered by a right knee hyper flexion, but he is expected to face the Timberwolves on Saturday. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 25 Feb 9:03pm IND -3 -110 O +219 -110 Closing 26 Feb 11:52pm IND -2.5 -110 O +218.5 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Pacers Team Leaders
Points 21.18
Assists 6.69
Rebounds 11.97
FG% 62.5
Steals 1.86
Blocks 3.38
Points 26.44
Assists 5.69
Rebounds 8.13
FG% 72.4
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.75
Points Assists Rebounds Did not qualify FG% Steals Blocks Points 30.6
Assists 6
Rebounds 9.8
FG% 100
Steals 1.2
Blocks 3
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
Points 21.18
Assists 6.69
Rebounds 11.97
FG% 62.5
Steals 1.86
Blocks 3.38
Points 26.44
Assists 5.69
Rebounds 8.13
FG% 72.4
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.75
Points Assists Rebounds Did not qualify FG% Steals Blocks Points 30.6
Assists 6
Rebounds 9.8
FG% 100
Steals 1.2
Blocks 3
-
Injuries
Malcolm Brogdon (SG)
Ques Thurs Hamstring - 19 / 05 / 21Edmond Sumner (PG)
Ques Thurs Knee - 19 / 05 / 21Caris LeVert (SG)
Out Thurs Illness - 16 / 05 / 21T.J. McConnell (PG)
Ques Sat Thumb - 14 / 05 / 21Caris LeVert (SG)
Prob Sat Knee - 13 / 05 / 21Aaron Holiday (PG)
Ques Tues Foot - 11 / 05 / 21Edmond Sumner (PG)
Ques Tues Knee - 11 / 05 / 21Goga Bitadze (C)
Prob Thurs Ankle - 06 / 05 / 21Edmond Sumner (PG)
Ques Sat Knee - 05 / 05 / 21Malcolm Brogdon (SG)
Out indefinitely Hamstring - 02 / 05 / 21Kemba Walker (PG)
Out Tues Knee - 29 / 05 / 21Robert Williams III (C)
Out Tues Ankle - 28 / 05 / 21Kemba Walker (PG)
Prob Fri Knee - 27 / 05 / 21Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Tues Toe - 24 / 05 / 21Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Sat Toe - 19 / 05 / 21Kemba Walker (PG)
Ques Tues Neck - 16 / 05 / 21Evan Fournier (SG)
Prob Tues Knee - 16 / 05 / 21Kemba Walker (PG)
Out Sat Rest - 14 / 05 / 21Tristan Thompson (C)
Prob Tues Pectoral - 14 / 05 / 21Evan Fournier (SG)
Prob Sat Knee - 14 / 05 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Malcolm Brogdon (SG) Ques Thurs Hamstring - 19 / 05 / 21 0-0 0-0 + - Brogdon is dealing with a sore right hamstring, and it remains to be seen if he will be available for Game 3 of the East Conference Play-In versus the Wizards.
Edmond Sumner (PG) Ques Thurs Knee - 19 / 05 / 21 0-0 0-0 + - Sumner is bothered by a left knee contusion, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 3 of the East Conference Play-In versus the Wizards.
Caris LeVert (SG) Out Thurs Illness - 16 / 05 / 21 2-0 2-0 + - LeVert is following the NBA's health and safety protocols, and he will not be active for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Play-In versus the Wizards.
T.J. McConnell (PG) Ques Sat Thumb - 14 / 05 / 21 3-0 3-0 + - McConnell was removed from the last contest with a thumb injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will take the court against the Lakers on Saturday.
Caris LeVert (SG) Prob Sat Knee - 13 / 05 / 21 4-0 3-1 + - LeVert sat out the last game due to a right knee contusion, but it is anticipated that he will face the Lakers on Saturday.
Aaron Holiday (PG) Ques Tues Foot - 11 / 05 / 21 4-0 3-2 + - Holiday is dealing with a sprained right toe, and it is undetermined if he will be in the lineup against the Hornets for game 2 of the Eastern Conference Play-In.
Edmond Sumner (PG) Ques Tues Knee - 11 / 05 / 21 4-0 3-2 + - Sumner is bothered with a knee injury, and it remains to be seen if he will be available versus the Hornets for game 2 of the Eastern Conference Play-In.
Goga Bitadze (C) Prob Thurs Ankle - 06 / 05 / 21 6-1 5-3 + - Bitadze is dealing with an ankle injury, but it is likely that he will face the Hawks on Thursday.
Edmond Sumner (PG) Ques Sat Knee - 05 / 05 / 21 6-2 6-3 + - Sumner has missed the last two games with a left knee contusion, and it remains to be seen if he will dress for Saturday's tilt against the Wizards.
Malcolm Brogdon (SG) Out indefinitely Hamstring - 02 / 05 / 21 7-2 7-3 + - Brogdon is sidelined with right hamstring soreness, and it remains to be seen when he will be active again.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Kemba Walker (PG) Out Tues Knee - 29 / 05 / 21 1-2 3-0 + - Walker is bothered by left knee soreness, and he will not dress for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
Robert Williams III (C) Out Tues Ankle - 28 / 05 / 21 1-2 3-0 + - Williams III is nursing a left ankle sprain, and he will not take on the Nets in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Kemba Walker (PG) Prob Fri Knee - 27 / 05 / 21 1-2 3-0 + - Walker is managing a left knee medial bone contusion, but it is likely that he will take the court to face the Nets in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Tues Toe - 24 / 05 / 21 1-3 3-1 + - Williams III is expected to dress for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round despite left foot turf toe.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Sat Toe - 19 / 05 / 21 2-3 3-2 + - Williams is bothered by left foot turf toe, but it is projected that he will be available versus the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Kemba Walker (PG) Ques Tues Neck - 16 / 05 / 21 3-3 3-3 + - Walker is nursing left cervical nerve irritation, and it is up in the air if he will take the court for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In against the Wizards.
Evan Fournier (SG) Prob Tues Knee - 16 / 05 / 21 3-3 3-3 + - Fournier is bothered by a right knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In versus the Wizards.
Kemba Walker (PG) Out Sat Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 3-4 3-4 + - Walker will not take on the Timberwolves on Saturday as he will be given a day of rest.
Tristan Thompson (C) Prob Tues Pectoral - 14 / 05 / 21 3-4 3-4 + - Thompson is tending to a left pectoral strain, but it is projected that he will dress versus the Wizards for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In.
Evan Fournier (SG) Prob Sat Knee - 14 / 05 / 21 3-4 3-4 + - Fournier is bothered by a right knee hyper flexion, but he is expected to face the Timberwolves on Saturday.