Celtics vs Pacers

Boston's 24-14 group still profiles as the safer side on the moneyline in Indiana, with a top-tier defense and a 2-0 edge in this season’s series powered by Jaylen Brown’s long-term dominance versus the Pacers, even though Brown is doubtful with back spasms, Jayson Tatum remains out after Achilles surgery and key spacer Sam Hauser is banged up, while the 8-31 Pacers — finally off a 13-game skid and riding a two-game mini-streak behind Pascal Siakam, Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard — are still missing Tyrese Haliburton for the season and remain near the bottom of the East; factoring in Boston’s superior roster quality, defensive ceiling, and recent form against Indiana but also the injury risk and road spot, I lean Celtics at -250 on the moneyline with a value grade of B. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 12/01/2026 08:29

Indiana's offense has looked livelier during this two-game win streak, but facing a Celtics defense that ranks near the top of the league in points allowed and is likely to lean even harder on its halfcourt structure with Brown possibly sidelined and Tatum already out, this matchup sets up for fewer clean looks and more grind from role-heavy lineups built around Anfernee Simons, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard on one side and Siakam-centric creation with shaky team shooting on the other; with the first two meetings landing at a 198 total in Boston’s 103-95 home win and an outlier 262 in the 140-122 shootout in Indy, plus both teams still shy of the 41-game mark and Boston generally suppressing pace on the road, I’m expecting the Celtics’ defense and the Pacers’ inconsistency from deep to pull this closer to a low- to mid-210s total, so I like Under 224.5 (-110) at a B grade. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 12/01/2026 08:29

Bennedict Mathurin and Pascal Siakam have sparked a more competitive, confident Pacers group in their last two outings, and with Indiana finally snapping its 13-game skid, back at home again, and still leaning on Andrew Nembhard’s playmaking, catching +5.5 against a 24-14 Celtics team that’s starting a road trip and could be without both Brown and Tatum feels like the right side of the number, especially given how this matchup has already produced a tight 103-95 Boston comeback and a separate blowout driven by hot Celtics shooting; Boston’s defensive edge and coaching give them a strong chance to win outright, but the combination of their injury uncertainty, reliance on secondary creators, and a suddenly feisty 8-31 Indiana squad getting a full two-possession cushion at Gainbridge nudges me to the home dog, so I’ll take Pacers +5.5 (-110) with a B- grade. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 12/01/2026 08:29