Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Picks and Predictions October 30th 2024

Pacers vs Celtics October 30th 2024

At 7:00 ET, the Pacers (-287) will host the Celtics (+236) in a Eastern Conference matchup. The Celtics are currently favored by 7.5 points and the over/under line is set at 233.5.

This game will be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis and can be seen on ESPN.

Celtics vs. Pacers Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Boston Celtics at Indiana Pacers
• Where: Indianapolis at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
• Date: Wednesday, October 30th
• Betting Odds BOS -7.5, BOS -287 | IND +236 O/U 233.5

The Celtics Can Win If…

The Celtics improved to 4-0 this season with a 119-108 win over the Bucks on Monday. Boston, playing at home, was favored by 9 points and covered the spread. The combined score of 227 points fell just under the O/U line of 232.

Boston trailed after the first two quarters but turned things around with a strong 3rd quarter, outscoring Milwaukee 37-26. They extended their lead with a 10-0 run early in the 4th, going from 90-82 to 100-82, and closed out the game by outscoring the Bucks 29-26 in the final period.

Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 30 points in their 119-108 win over the Bucks, scoring 12 in the 3rd quarter and 9 in the 4th. Payton Pritchard hit 8 threes at 66.7%, finishing with 28 points, including 11 in the 2nd quarter.

Jrue Holiday added 21 points, scoring 8 in both the 3rd and 4th quarters, while also hitting 4 threes at 57.1%. The Celtics made 18 threes as a team, shooting 38.3% from deep and 49.4% overall.

Defensively, the Celtics held the Bucks to 108 points, giving up 29 in the 1st quarter but tightening up as the game went on, allowing 27 in the 2nd, and just 26 points in both the 3rd and 4th quarters.

Boston did a great job defending the three, holding Milwaukee to just 8 made threes on 25% shooting. The Celtics also recorded 34 defensive rebounds, gave up 8 offensive boards, and added 5 steals and 5 blocks.

• When looking at their past five road matchups, Boston has an ATS record of 2-3 while averaging 108 per game. The team went 4-1 overall in these games.
• The last ten games that Boston was favored, they have an ATS mark of 5-4-1 while going 9-1 straight up.
• Over their last five games, the Celtics have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 4-1 vs. the spread.

The Pacers Can Win If…

Indiana dropped to 1-3 on the season after a 119-115 road loss to the Magic on Monday. The Pacers, who were +5.5 point underdogs, managed to cover the spread, losing by just four points. The game’s total points of 234 exceeded the pre-game line of 224.

After a strong 3rd quarter, where they outscored Orlando 39-22, the Pacers entered the 4th quarter with a 98-93 lead. However, they struggled in the final period, scoring just 17 points while allowing 26, leading to the loss.

Jaylen Brown’s 30-point performance led the Celtics to a 119-108 win over the Bucks, with Payton Pritchard adding 28 points, including 8 threes at a 66.7% clip. Pritchard’s overall shooting was 71.4%, and he hit 11 points in the 2nd quarter.

Jrue Holiday contributed 21 points, knocking down 4 threes at 57.1%. The Celtics connected on 18 threes as a team, shooting 38.3% from deep and 49.4% overall from the field.

Defensively, the Pacers struggled in the 1st and 2nd quarters, allowing 35 and 36 points, respectively, but tightened up in the 3rd, giving up just 22 points. They allowed 26 points in the 4th, ultimately conceding 119 points in the loss.

Indiana held Orlando to 31% shooting from three, with the Magic hitting 13 threes. The Pacers sent the Magic to the line 38 times, where they made 28 free throws. Indiana finished with 29 defensive rebounds, gave up 11 offensive boards, and recorded 7 steals and 4 blocks.

• When looking at their past five home matchups, Indiana has an ATS record of 3-2 while averaging 113 per game. The team went 1-4 overall in these games.
• Looking back on the team’s last three games as the underdog, the Pacers have a straight up record of 0-3. Their record vs the spread in these games was 2-1.
• In their last five games, the Pacers have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 4-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

The Pacers come in as the underdog at +7.5, making them our top choice on the point spread. We not only expect them to cover the spread but also believe they have a strong chance of winning the game outright, especially if you’re aiming for a higher moneyline payout.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 233.5, and our model projects the Celtics and Pacers to reach a combined total of 267 points. Our bet is on taking the over.

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Pacers Aim to Break Losing Streak Against Unbeaten Celtics

The Indiana Pacers will host the undefeated Boston Celtics on Wednesday night, looking to snap a three-game losing streak in what promises to be an intense matchup between two Eastern Conference rivals. These teams met in last season’s Eastern Conference Finals, where Boston swept Indiana in four games—a memory that adds extra weight to this faceoff for the Pacers.

Pacers Look to Bounce Back After Close Losses

The Pacers kicked off their season with a win against the Detroit Pistons, but since then, have struggled to find their footing. Their most recent game, a 119-115 loss to the Orlando Magic on Monday, saw them give up a late lead despite a spirited comeback from a 13-point third-quarter deficit. Though the team ultimately fell short, Head Coach Rick Carlisle saw a silver lining in the close loss.

“We didn’t win the game, but we moved in a better direction than the first three games,” said Carlisle. “That’s a positive. … We had something in our hands that we lost. That’s disappointing. We did a lot of good things, and we have to continue to clean up the things that we have to clean up.”

Key Performances and Areas for Improvement

While the Pacers showed resilience, there are areas they’ll need to improve to contend with the Celtics. Their missed free throws—10 of 30 attempts against Orlando—proved costly and are an area where they must execute better under pressure.

Pascal Siakam led the scoring with 26 points and nine rebounds, while Tyrese Haliburton came close to a triple-double with 19 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds. Haliburton acknowledged the team’s need to pick up the pace, noting they are aiming to play more “randomly” and quickly to regain last season’s high-energy offense.

“I do feel encouraged by this performance as a group,” said Haliburton. “Another opportunity against the best team in the league (Boston). If you’re a competitor, you love that. I think it’s another opportunity for us to grow.”

Celtics: Unbeaten and Dominant

Boston enters this matchup riding a wave of success, extending their perfect start with a 119-108 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. The Celtics are proving why they’re considered title contenders, showcasing both depth and versatility across their roster.

In their latest game, guard Payton Pritchard delivered an impressive 28-point performance, connecting on 10 of 14 field goals, including 8 of 12 from beyond the arc. His efforts earned praise from Coach Joe Mazzulla.

“The guy is just good,” Mazzulla commented. “He kept us in it in the first half, and he’s finding different ways to impact games. … He’s just a competitor. I love watching him play.”

Pritchard’s consistent scoring has made him a pivotal asset, leading the league in 3-point shots with 19 makes over four games. Jaylen Brown also shined in the victory over Milwaukee, scoring 21 of his 30 points in the second half. His ability to adapt and control the pace during critical moments adds another dimension to the Celtics’ dynamic offense.

“Payton is a killer,” Celtics forward Jaylen Brown said. “He’s always looking to put pressure on a defense. If you don’t guard him, he’ll light you up.”

A Critical Game for Both Teams

Wednesday’s matchup against Boston offers the Pacers an opportunity to measure their progress against one of the league’s top teams. The Celtics will open a four-game road trip with this game, aiming to maintain their perfect record. Meanwhile, Indiana is focused on solidifying their defense, enhancing their free-throw efficiency, and speeding up their offensive pace.

For the Pacers, this game is about more than ending a losing streak. It’s a test of their resilience and ability to learn from early-season challenges, especially as they face a Celtics team with championship aspirations.

Conclusion

The Pacers are aware of the stakes as they prepare to take on Boston, bringing renewed energy and adjustments to their style of play. While Boston has the advantage in terms of recent performance and roster depth, Indiana’s focus on speed and clean execution gives them a shot at disrupting the Celtics’ rhythm. This matchup highlights not only the Pacers’ opportunity to rebound from their skid but also the potential to grow as a team against one of the NBA’s elite squads.

The action tips off Wednesday night, promising a thrilling contest between a team striving to regain its footing and a powerhouse looking to stay on top.

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