Former rivals headed in opposite directions are set to meet on Friday. Despite the absence of Jayson Tatum, the Celtics have surged to an 18-11 record. Now, Boston will hope to take care of business against one of the NBA’s worst clubs. Indiana, last season’s Eastern Conference champions, has been without Tyrese Haliburton all year. Unlike their opponents tonight, the Pacers have struggled en route to a six-win campaign.
Can Indiana earn an upset against the visiting C’s? Here’s my preview, prediction, and pick for Friday’s Boston Celtics vs. Indiana Pacers matchup.
The Celtics are 8.5-point favorites (-112) over the Pacers on DraftKings Sportsbook. Boston is favored at -345 on the moneyline. The total for this matchup is set at 222.5 points.
Celtics vs. Pacers prediction, preview
The Pacers, for all their flaws, still possesses several standout players. It all starts with Pascal Siakam, one of the sport’s elite power forwards. Through 29 games this season, he’s averaging 23.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists. In addition, he’s shooting 48% from the field and 37% from three-point range. He’s bolstered by the duo of Bennedict Mathurin (18.4 PPG) and Andrew Nembhard (17.4 PPG). However, those numbers are the only things to brag about for Indiana. The team has produced an NBA-worst 109.2 points per game and 108.3 offensive rating.
It’s not as if things are much better on the other end of the floor. The Pacers are giving up 117.7 points per game, tenth-worst in all of basketball. They’ve surrendered 115+ points in over half of their 30 contests this season. However, that may not occur on Friday. Boston’s offense plays at the NBA’s slowest pace (95.7). When these two clubs met on Monday, the Celtics only managed to put up 103 points.
In spite of their glacial tempo, Boston is fourth in the association with a 121.2 offensive rating. Jaylen Brown is playing the best basketball of his career, recording 29.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. He’s joined in the back court by two-way menace Derrick White and former Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard. Down low is a bit shakier, with Neemias Queta at center. Still, the big man has done an admirable job as a first-time starter (10.0 PPG, 7.9 REB).
Size shouldn’t be too much of an issue for the C’s, as Indiana prefers to play small-ball. Still, Siakam could find success against a team that lacks length. Expect plenty of minutes off the bench for Hugo Gonzalez. The rookie, despite his offensive limitations, is a tenacious defender. On Monday, he managed to secure 11 rebounds and two blocks over 37 minutes. Indiana has struggled all season to box out, giving up an NBA-worst 58.3 rebounds per game. That number could rise tonight with center Isaiah Jackson (concussion) sidelined.
Celtics vs. Pacers pick, best bet
Indiana is a complete coin flip, capable of hanging tough or getting blown out against anyone. Head coach Rick Carlisle prefers to push the pace, but that may prove difficult against this deliberate Celtics squad. That hurts the Pacers’ chances at winning, but less possessions might make this game competitive. Boston, even without Tatum, is for real. Regardless, their three-point reliance doesn’t bode well against a surprisingly good Indy perimeter defense. Expect the home team to keep things close this evening.
