| MATCHUP | Boston Celtics | Indiana Pacers |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 18-11 | 6-24 |
| Spread | -8.5 -115 | +8.5 -105 |
| Moneyline | -345 | +275 |
| Total | Over 220.5 (-110) | Under 220.5 (-110) |
| Where | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN | |
| When | Friday, December 26, 2025 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EST | |
| TV | NBC Sports BO | |
The Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers do battle at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday night. Here’s a Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers Prediction. This article will include a Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers Pick.
Boston Celtics Betting Preview
The Boston Celtics have been in great shape as they’ve won eight of their last 10 games overall and they will be aiming for a fourth straight victory after beating the Pacers in a 103-95 win on Monday. Jaylen Brown led the team with 31 points and nine rebounds on 11 of 25 shooting, Derrick White added 19 points with five rebounds and four assists, while Payton Pritchard chipped in with 11 points and five assists.
As a team, the Celtics shot 43 percent from the field and 11 of 37 from the 3-point line, but this win was all about their defense as they struggled to make their shots at the start of the game. They looked to be in trouble after falling behind by 20 points. Before they flipped the script and dominated the second half by 60-34 to make it look easy in the end.
Indiana Pacers Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers have been in poor form, as they’ve lost 11 of their last 15 games overall. They will be hoping to put an end to a six-game slide after getting trampled by the Bucks in a 111-94 loss on Tuesday. TJ McConnell led the team in scoring with just 16 points and six assists off the bench, Pascal Siakam scored 15 points with nine rebounds while Andrew Nembhard chipped in with 14 points and six assists.
As a team, the Pacers shot just 41 percent from the field and eight of 31 from the 3-point line as they struggled to match the Bucks right from the tipoff. They were already in deep trouble after getting outscored by 59-44 in the first half, and things only got worse as the Pacers margin blew out to 25 points at one stage. Ethan Thompson had a rough game as he shot just one of seven from the field for his three points, while Jarace Walker shot one of eight for his four points off the bench.
Why the Indiana Pacers will win
- The Celtics have lost four of their last five games as favorites against Central Division opponents following a win.
- The Pacers have won each of their last three home games on the first leg of a back-to-back against the Celtics.
- The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse when playing with a rest advantage.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in 10 of the last 11 games between the Celtics and Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Why the Boston Celtics will win
- The Pacers have lost each of their last 13 night games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Celtics have won seven of their last eight road games when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Celtics have covered the spread in each of their last five road games following a home win.
- The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games as underdogs on the first leg of a back-to-back.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Celtics’ last six games against the Pacers following a home win have gone OVER the total points line.
- Five of the Pacers’ last six games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Indiana Pacers Player Facts
- Andrew Nembhard ranks 4th amongst qualified Forwards for assists per game (6.4) this season.
- Bennedict Mathurin ranks T11th in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for FT% (86.0%) this season.
Boston Celtics Player Facts
- Derrick White is one of only five qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.0 threes, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks this season.
- Payton Pritchard ranks 6th amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (4.3) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pacers rank 30th in the league for field goal percentage this season (42.9%).
- The Pacers rank 30th in the league for three-point percentage this season (32.1%).
- The Celtics rank 30th in the league for free throw attempts per game this season (19.2).
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (85.7).
Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers Prediction
The Celtics are still playing without Jayson Tatum and Chris Boucher, while the Pacers have ruled out Aaron Nesmith, Ben Sheppard and Isaiah Jackson. The Celtics beat the Pacers on Monday despite falling behind by 20 points, and you just get the feeling that the Pacers missed on their best chance to beat the Celtics this season.
The Pacers weren’t good enough to capitalize on early mistakes from the Celtics on Monday, and I think we’re about to see a similar outcome here. I have the Celtics starting quicker and cruising their way to a more comfortable win and cover in this meeting.