Indiana Pacers vs. Boston Celtics, 4/14/19 NBA Predictions & Odds

Pacers vs. Celtics Prediction

Can the Boston Celtics cover a big spread at home when they open their NBA Playoff series with the Indiana Pacers today at 1PM ET?

Game Snapshot & Odds

511 Indiana Pacers vs. 512 Boston Celtics

Sunday, April 14, 2019

1PM ET – TD Garden

TV: TNT

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Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers, the Celtics are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -7 points against the Pacers. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 209.5 points. The public betting for the contest has 58 percent going on Boston at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.

Pacers short-handed

Indiana is the 5 seed in the East, falling back from the 2 seed following a season-ending injury to top player, Victor Oladipo. Indiana is just 3-5 over its last eight games. The Pacers are 48-34 overall, 19-22 on the road, 41-41 against the spread and 46-36 with the under.

The Pacers have had the league’s top defense this season, allowing just 104.7 points per game while holding opponents to 45 percent shooting from the floor and 35.4 percent shooting from the arc. Offensively, Indiana averages just 108 points per game despite shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 37.4 percent from the 3-point line. Aside from the Oladipo injury, Myles Turner, Thaddeus Young, Domantas Sabonis and Bojan Bogdanovic are also all dealing with injuries, but should play today. Bogdanovic is averaging 18 points to lead the team while Sabonis adds 14.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per contest.

Celtics heating up

Boston is the 4 seed in the East and the Celtics have won four of their last five games to surpass the Pacers in the standings. The Celtics are 49-33 on the season, 28-13 at home, 39-42-1 against the spread and 47-35 with the over.

The Celtics are a solid defensive team, giving up just 108.0 points per game while limiting opponents to 44.8 percent shooting from the floor and 34.4 percent shooting from the arc. Offensively, Boston is putting up 112.4 points per game while shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from 3. Marcus Smart is out indefinitely with an oblique injury while Marcus Morris is questionable for the game with a knee injury. Kyrie Irving is leading the team with 23.8 points and 6.9 assists per contest.

NBA Betting Trends

Indiana

The Pacers are just 7-16 against the spread in their last 23 road games and 1-6 ATS in their last seven against Atlantic Division opponents.

Boston

The Celtics are 9-2 against the spread in their last 11 conference quarterfinal games, but 0-8 ATS in their last eight home games.

Prediction:

The Celtics have won their last three against Indiana, including a 117-97 road win last week. The Pacers look like they are finally feeling the impact of losing Oladipo, as their offense is sputtering and their defense isn’t holding up as well. Boston seems to be turning a bit of a corner after a regular season of somewhat mediocrity. I think the Celtics will take advantage of Indiana’s lack of scoring today and open the series with a solid win.

NBA Prediction: Boston Celtics -7