Celtics vs Pacers

Jaylen Brown leads a Celtics group riding a three-game win streak into Indianapolis against a Pacers team mired in a six-game skid, and with Jayson Tatum still sidelined long term by his Achilles injury, Boston has nonetheless been thriving behind Brown’s All-NBA level usage and a defense allowing around 110 points per game. Indiana’s roster still lists Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, Bennedict Mathurin and others, but recent reports have Haliburton, Aaron Nesmith and Obi Toppin sidelined, stripping the Pacers of their primary initiator and several key rotation wings just days after a 103–95 Celtics win in Boston. Haliburton has historically hurt the Celtics (roughly 19 points and 8 assists per game in 15 career meetings), so his likely absence magnifies the talent gap, especially with the Pacers already bottom-tier in efficiency and sitting near the East cellar. At -355, the moneyline price is heavy and better suited for parlays or large-bankroll singles, but given Boston’s form, health edge outside Tatum, and recent head-to-head control, backing the Celtics straight up earns a B+ for likelihood with only moderate standalone value. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 26/12/2025 10:00

Tyrese Haliburton’s ongoing absence has coincided with Indiana’s six-game losing streak and a noticeable offensive drop, and when that is combined with Boston’s top-3 opponent field-goal percentage and balanced 116–110 points-for/points-allowed profile, the matchup leans toward a lower-scoring script than the 220 total suggests. Four days ago these teams managed just 198 combined points (103–95 Boston) despite the Celtics controlling the game, and both clubs have trended slightly to the Under overall, with Indiana’s porous defense being offset lately by a short-handed, Haliburton-less offense that struggles to create clean looks. Boston, still without Tatum and leaning heavily on Brown, has played more half-court, turnover-averse basketball, further suppressing possessions and fast-break chances, particularly on the road. Taken together—current streaks, injury-driven pace drag, and recent head-to-head scoring—the Under 220 rates as a solid but not slam-dunk position, earning a B for a reasonable edge at standard -110 juice. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 26/12/2025 10:00

Pascal Siakam is now carrying a heavy on-ball load for a Pacers group that is 6-23 and has dropped six straight, but with Haliburton, Nesmith and Toppin recently out and the offense sputtering, Boston -8.5 still profiles as the side with more reliable pathways to a cover despite being on the road. The Celtics are 18-11 overall with an 8-2 surge in their last 10, have been solid against the number this season, and just beat this same Indiana team by eight points while leveraging their superior size, defensive versatility, and depth around Brown, Sam Hauser and a rotating big-man committee. Indiana sits near the bottom of the league in offensive efficiency and field-goal percentage while allowing roughly 118 points per night, a dangerous combination against a Celtics team that rarely turns the ball over and can consistently pressure weaker defenses from three and at the rim. Laying -8.5 at -105 is still a decent ask in a second meeting within a week and allows for potential late-game variance, so this recommendation grades out as a B: a meaningful edge driven by form, injuries and two-way quality, but not one to overextend the bankroll on. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 26/12/2025 10:00