3rd Quarter Report
This matchup looks nothing like the tight 135-132 margin from the Celtics’ win over the Pacers in their previous head-to-head back in October. The Celtics have a bit of a cushion as they currently lead the Pacers 112-82.
The Celtics came into the contest with some extra motivation after the defeat they were dealt the last time these two teams faced off. We’ll see if they’re able to flip the script or if it’ll just be more of the same.
Who’s Playing
Indiana Pacers @ Boston Celtics
Current Records: Indiana 15-16, Boston 22-8
How To Watch
- When: Friday, December 27, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where: TD Garden — Boston, Massachusetts
- TV: NBATV
- Follow: CBS Sports App
- Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Ticket Cost: $187.95
What to Know
Pacers fans better hope the squad plays one heck of a game on Friday as the odds are decidedly against them. Having just played yesterday, they will head out on the road to face off against the Boston Celtics at 7:30 p.m. ET at TD Garden. The Pacers are looking to tack on another W to their five-game streak on the road.
The Pacers are probably headed into the match with a chip on their shoulder considering the Thunder just ended the team’s five-game winning streak on Thursday. They fell to Oklahoma City 120-114. Indiana was up 22-7 in the first but couldn’t hold on to the lead.
The Pacers’ loss shouldn’t obscure the performances of Andrew Nembhard, who almost dropped a double-double on 23 points and nine rebounds, and Pascal Siakam, who shot 5-for-7 from beyond the arc and dropped a double-double on 22 points and ten rebounds. What’s more, Siakam also racked up five threes, the most he’s had since back in November.
The Celtics came into the contest on Wednesday with a huge advantage in the spread, but given the result that advantage might’ve gone to their heads. They took a 118-114 hit to the loss column at the hands of the 76ers. Boston has been going strong on the season, but this is now their second defeat in a row.
The losing side was boosted by Jayson Tatum, who dropped a double-double on 32 points and 15 rebounds. The matchup was his fourth in a row with at least 30 points. Less helpful for the Celtics was Payton Pritchard’s abysmal 0-8 three-point shooting.
Indiana now has a losing record at 15-16. As for Boston, their loss dropped their record down to 22-8.
The Pacers skirted past the Celtics 135-132 in their previous meeting back in October. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Pacers since the squad won’t have the home-court advantage this time around. We’ll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
Odds
Boston is a big 12.5-point favorite against Indiana, according to the latest NBA odds.
The line has drifted a bit towards the Celtics, as the game opened with the Celtics as a 10-point favorite.
The over/under is 232.5 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Boston has won 7 out of their last 10 games against Indiana.
- Oct 30, 2024 – Indiana 135 vs. Boston 132
- May 27, 2024 – Boston 105 vs. Indiana 102
- May 25, 2024 – Boston 114 vs. Indiana 111
- May 23, 2024 – Boston 126 vs. Indiana 110
- May 21, 2024 – Boston 133 vs. Indiana 128
- Jan 30, 2024 – Boston 129 vs. Indiana 124
- Jan 08, 2024 – Indiana 133 vs. Boston 131
- Jan 06, 2024 – Boston 118 vs. Indiana 101
- Dec 04, 2023 – Indiana 122 vs. Boston 112
- Nov 01, 2023 – Boston 155 vs. Indiana 104
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