Celtics @ Pacers tips, picks and prop bets: Shootout in Indiana, Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday total
- George Dempsey
- 4 December 2023
The Indiana Pacers (10-8) welcome the Boston Celtics (15-4) to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the NBA in-season tournament quarterfinals on Monday (0030 GMT Tues).
The Indiana Pacers (10-8) are arguably the most entertaining watch in the NBA right now. Their up-tempo style usually means points galore.
The Pacers are throwing up 94.3 shots per game, which is six more than the league average, and making good on 48 of those, four more than the next-best team.
On the other hand, the Boston Celtics (15-4) boast the second-best defensive rating in the NBA at 106.7.
Jrue Holiday has been a massive part of that with 21% of his team's overall blocks and a defensive rating of 106.
Tyrese Haliburton (27ppg) and Obi Toppin (13.1ppg) are both listed as questionable this evening, and their absence would change the face of this game.
However, the Pacers are very competitive right now. Even without Haliburton, they were able to beat the Heat 144-129 in Miami.
That game was in response to a 142-132 defeat a few nights earlier so it’s worth noting the Celtics beat Indiana 155-104 in Boston last month. You don’t forget a loss like that.
Rick Carlisle’s team have struggled to build on victories, going 0-4ATS after a win, while the Celtics are 0-4ATS in their last four road games.
During that run, they were beaten by the Charlotte Hornets just one day after struggling to a 102-100 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Being without Kristap Porzingis makes them a little easier to figure out, although we’re not sure that matters given Indiana’s lack of defence.
On that note, the Pacers are 16-2 over the total this season. Both of their unders came against teams trending under in Portland and Chicago.
Boston don’t play at anything like the pace Indiana do, but they will be drawn into a quicker game tonight, and these are two of the top four in true shooting percentage rankings.
Bet: Over 242 points
Celtics @ Pacers prop bets
Jayson Tatum is the main man but he doesn’t need to be against Indiana. He scored 30 in the previous meeting and all five starters comfortably recorded double digits.
Prop: Jayson Tatum under 31 points
Jrue Holiday was one of several Celtics players given the freedom of the court to throw up three-point shots in that game. He was six-of-nine on the night.
