Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers 2/23/23 – With the All-Star Weekend behind us, the NBA season is now preparing for the playoffs. The Boston Celtics will focus their efforts on securing the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference as per NBA betting sites. The Pacers in Indiana will be competing for a place in the play-in section of the playoffs. The Celtics will travel to Indiana on Thursday to face the Pacers.
Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers
Date & Time: Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 7:00 PM ET
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers Betting Odds
Celtics
Moneyline: -345
Spread: -8 (-110)
Total: 234.5 over (-105)
Pacers
Moneyline: +275
Spread: +8 (-112)
Total: 234.5 under (-105)
Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers Analysis
On Thursday, the Boston Celtics will return to action to attempt to secure the Eastern Conference’s top seed. The Celtics roster has been healthy in months since Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart returned to the team. Jaylen will also be making his return, with a mask in hand. Jayson Tatum is coming off an MVP performance, after setting a single-game all-stars record of 55 points. Joe Muzzalla, the head coach, has been removed from interim status and everything is ready for Boston. On the back of their defense, the Celtics breezed through the second half last season to reach the NBA Finals. The team’s offense has been able to cool down after a near-record-breaking start, but it still boasts the fourth highest scoring offense in the NBA. They rank 15th in field goal percentage, but are solidly sixth in three point field goal percentage. In terms of turnovers per game, the Celtics rank sixth in the NBA.
The Indiana Pacers will be back from break looking to push for a playoff spot within the Eastern Conference. Indiana stands 12th in Eastern Conference standings at 26-34. The Pacers have been struggling over the past ten games, going only 2-8 during that time. The Pacers closed the first half strong, rallying from 24 points down to defeat the Bulls by a score of 117-113. The Pacers hope that their victory over Chicago will carry over to next week when they face the Eastern Conference’s leading Celtics. This matchup will feature the league’s 15th-ranked scoring offense.
Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers Against the Spread
Boston are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games. The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston’s last 5 games. Boston are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games. Boston are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games against Indiana. Boston are 13-4 SU in their last 17 games against Indiana. The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston’s last 5 games on the road.
Indiana are 5-12 ATS in their last 17 games. The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Indiana’s last 9 games. Indiana are 3-16 SU in their last 19 games. The total has gone OVER in 8 of Indiana’s last 11 games against Boston. The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana’s last 6 games at home.
Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers Free Pick
In the last matchup between these teams, the Celtics lost to Indiana by seven points in December at the TD Garden. However, the Celtics defense has significantly improved and they are now as healthy as ever before the All-Star break. A Celtics team will find Indiana’s poor perimeter defense difficult to match. The Pacers lack the defenders needed to match Brown and Tatum, so the Celtics have an advantage on the wings. The Celtics will have a unique, substantial advantage on the glass against the Pacers team. Boston’s defense will be able to stop the Pacers’ perimeter shooting and bury Indiana according to basketball betting experts.
Free Pick: Boston Celtics -8 (-110)
