Pacers vs Celtics Prediction: Celtics Favored, But Can Indiana Upset in East Finals? (May 21st)
In our Pacers vs Celtics Prediction, the Boston Celtics edged out the Indiana Pacers 133-128 in a thrilling overtime battle with significant implications for the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite entering with momentum from a strong road win against the Knicks, the Pacers, led by Tyrese Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard, couldn’t outlast the Celtics on their home court. Boston, powered by standout performances from Jayson Tatum and Al Horford, recovered from a two-game ATS skid to secure a vital victory, maintaining their dominance at home.
The Indiana Pacers (47-35) head into Boston to challenge the Eastern Conference powerhouse Celtics (64-18) in a rematch with Eastern Finals implications. Keep reading for our Pacers vs Celtics Prediction.
Pacers on a Roll:
- Indiana seeks to extend their winning streak to three games after a dominant 130-109 road victory over the Knicks (series win: 4-3).
- Tyrese Haliburton (26 points, 6 assists) and Andrew Nembhard (20 points) paced the Pacers’ offense.
Celtics Look to Bounce Back:
- Boston aims to snap a two-game ATS skid after defeating the Cavaliers 113-98 (series win: 4-1).
- Jayson Tatum (25 points, 9 assists, 10 rebounds) and Al Horford (22 points, 15 rebounds) led the Celtics.
Can Indiana pull off an upset on the road, or will Boston maintain their dominance and grab Game 1?
Betting Trends:
- Pacers: Below average on the road (23-25), but have covered the spread in their last two games (26-16 ATS as underdogs).
- Celtics: Top seed in the East, boasting a strong home record (25-20 ATS) and a high-scoring offense (227.1 points per game).
IND vs BOS Information
| Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics |
| Location of the Game: TD Garden, Boston |
| Date and Time: Tuesday, May 21st. 8:00 ET |
| How to watch: watchlivesports.co |
Pacers vs Celtics Odds
Next, we have the NBA odds for this NBA Matchup.
AI Predictions and SportsBettingAI Picks
These are the NBA Computer Picks for tonight’s game on the NBA Schedule:
| TEAM | AI PICKS | SportBettingAI PICKS | |||
| Pacers | 116 | 231 | IND +10 | IND +355 | OVER 221 |
| Celtics | 115 | ||||
- AI Picks: Indiana Pacers 116 – Boston Celtics 115
- SBAI Picks: ATS Pacers +10 | ML Pacers +355 | OVER 221
Indiana Pacers Game Analysis
The Indiana Pacers (league-leading 123.3 points per game) travel to Boston to face the Celtics in a matchup with offensive fireworks potential. Here’s a breakdown:
- Pacers on Fire: Indiana boasts the NBA’s top offense, averaging nearly 120 points per game on the road. They lead the league in two-point shooting efficiency (58%).
- Haliburton Heating Up: Tyrese Haliburton averages 21.8 points per game in his last five outings, with a 40% three-point shooting clip. Myles Turner adds scoring and shot-blocking (17.1 points, 2.4 threes per game in last five).
- Defense on the Rise?: Despite ranking 26th in points allowed overall, the Pacers have tightened up recently, ranking 8th defensively over their last five games. They lead the NBA stats in contested three-point attempts (36.6%).
- Free Throw Focus: Indiana excels in avoiding fouls (1st in personal fouls) but struggles to keep opponents off the line (30th in made free throws allowed).
- Rebounding Woes: The Pacers rank near the bottom of the league in rebounds (28th) and defensive rebounds (28th) but compensate with a strong shot-blocking presence (8th in blocks).
HEADING TO THE EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS 🔥 pic.twitter.com/MP4WU3zEey
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 19, 2024
Boston Celtics Game Analysis
The Boston Celtics boast a potent offense, ranking 2nd in the NBA with 120.6 points per game. Here’s a breakdown for fans of the NBA Playoffs:
- League-Leading Three-Point Machine: The Celtics lead the league in three-point shooting percentage (38%) and average a staggering 16.5 made threes per game.
- Stars Aligned: Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are averaging a combined 50.2 points over their last five games. Tatum averages 26.8 points per game, while Brown contributes 23.4 points with an impressive 59.2% shooting accuracy, highlighting their impact on the NBA scores.
- Elite Defense: Boston’s defense ranks 3rd in the NBA standings, allowing just 107.9 points per game. They’ve stepped it up even further recently, holding opponents to a mere 101.2 points per game over their last five contests.
- Free-Throw Prevention Masters: The Celtics are the best in the league at limiting free-throw attempts, allowing just 16.7 free throws per game overall and a stingy 8.8 free throws per game over the last five games.
- Brick Wall Defense: Opponents struggle to score inside the arc against Boston, who rank 2nd in the NBA in field goal percentage defense (45.3%). Their recent form is even more impressive, holding opponents to a measly 46.1% shooting over the last five games.
it’s more than a game, it’s an art form 🎨 pic.twitter.com/QK9CCCzegl
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 19, 2024
Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Head-to-Head
Both NBA teams are aiming for a victory, but what do the betting odds reveal about their recent performances?
- Celtics Hold Historical Edge: Boston has won 6 of the last 10 meetings against Indiana.
- Pacers Rise to the Challenge: When underdogs against the Celtics, Indiana has covered the spread in 2 of their last 3 Pacers vs Celtics matchups.
- High-Scoring Potential?: The over/under record in the last 3 meetings at TD Garden is 1-2, averaging a combined 241 points.
In this Pacers vs Celtics prediction, can the Pacers defy historical trends and secure an upset, or will the Celtics continue their dominance?
NBA Injury Report
According to the NBA injury report, we have the following NBA players out:
Boston Celtics:
- Kristaps Porzingis – Calf – Out
- Xavier Tillman Sr. – Personal – Questionable
Indiana Pacers
- Bennedict Mathurin – Shoulder – Out
Ready to take your Pacers vs Celtics Prediction to the next level with Sport Betting AI? Follow us @SportBettingAI on X and keep reading for continuous AI-powered betting picks.
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