NBA Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Preview and Prediction

Date/Time: 03-29-2019, 19:00 EDT

Spread: Boston Celtics -6.5

Total: +214

In this all-Western showdown between the fourth and the fifth best teams of the conference, the fourth Indiana Pacers, looking to bounce back after their latest defeat, are visiting the fifth Boston Celtics, who on the other hand want to turn their latest victory into a streak.

Pacers are 45-30 so far in the league and are sitting on the 4^th place of the Eastern Conference. They are 1-5 in their last 6 games and in their latest matchup they were victorious against Oklahoma City on the road, 99-107. Celtics are 44-31 so far in the league and are sitting on the fifth place of the Eastern Conference. In their latest matchup they ended a 4-game defeat streak with a road victory against Cleveland, 116-106.

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Indiana are led in scoring by Victor Oladipo with 18.8 ppg. He also adds 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game but he is out for the season. Bojan Bogdanovic follows with 18 ppg, adding 4.1 rebounds per game, while Domantas Sabonis adds 14.1 ppg and a team high 9.3 rebounds per game. Boston are led in scoring by Kyrie Irving with 23.8 ppg. He also adds 5.1 rebounds and leads the team in assists made with 7.1 per game, while Jayson Tatum follows with 16 ppg, adding 6.2 rebounds per game. Marcus Morris adds 14.2 ppg and 6.2 rebounds per game.

Both teams are tied 1-1 wins so far this season. Indiana won at home with a 102-101 score and Boston at home as well 135-108. Boston are 26-12 at home, while Indiana are 17-21 on the road. Boston have a better offense with 112.6 ppg to Indiana’s 107.8, while Indiana have a better defense, allowing 104 ppg to Boston’s 108. Indiana have a better accuracy both from the field (47.6% to 46.5%) and from behind the arc (37.2% to 36.4%). Boston commit fewer turnovers (12.5 to 13.4) and are also better both in assists per game (26.4 to 25.9) and in rebounding (44.6 to 43.1). Indiana without their star player don’t pose a threat in Boston, so pick the hosts for the win in this one.

Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Prediction: Boston Celtics -6.5 (-107)