Indiana at Boston NBA Prediction, Pick & TV Info

It’s a potential first-round playoff preview on Wednesday in Boston as the Indiana Pacers make their only visit of the regular season. Could be a bit of a letdown game for the Celtics as they hosted the Washington Wizards in a huge matchup Monday. Still, Boston will be an NBA betting favorite here.

Indiana at Boston NBA Prediction, Pick & TV Info

When: Wednesday, March 22, 7:30 PM ET Where: TD Garden, Boston TV: NBA League Pass Stream: NBA.tv Radio: Indiana / Boston NBA Odds: Celtics favored by TBA

Why Bet on Indiana?

Paul George has led the Pacers in scoring in each of the past eight games while averaging 27.0 points and 7.9 rebounds per game and shooting 54.1 percent from the field and 44.1 percent from three-point range over that span. Monta Ellis has scored in double figures 12 times over the last 18 games while averaging 11.1 points on 51.2 percent shooting over that span. Since the All-Star Break, the Pacers have held nine of their 11 opponents to 100 or fewer points. The Pacers are limiting opponents to 98.7 points per game (2nd in the NBA) on 43.7 percent shooting (3rd) from the field and 31.5 percent from three-point range (3rd) since the All-Star break. The Pacers have also been outrebounded only three times since the All-Star break. The Pacers averaged 41.2 boards and were outrebounded by 3.8 rebounds per game before the break. Indiana is now 16-7 this season when outrebounding its opponent. Indiana is averaging 104.1 points per game, an improvement of 1.9 points per game over its average of 102.2 points per game during the 2015-16 campaign. The Pacers are 18-3 this season when scoring 110 or more points (14-1 at home) and 6-0 when they score 120 or more points. Indiana is looking to average more than 105 points per game for the first full season since they scored 105.1 points per game during the 2008-09 season. The last time the Pacers averaged at least 106.0 points per game was the 1992-93 season when Indiana scored 107.8 points per game.

Why Bet on Boston?

The Celtics signed big-ticket free agent Al Horford this past offseason and he has been a moderate disappointment. But if Horford plays like he did in Sunday’s upset loss to Philly, the Celtics might have a shot to beat Cleveland in the playoffs. Horford scored a season-high 27 points, adding eight rebounds, six assists, one steal, two blocks and one 3-pointer in 33 minutes. That’s two 20-plus scoring games in his last three. Before that, Horford didn’t hit 20 points in any game since Jan. 25. Star Isaiah Thomas sat out the weekend’s two games and managed to improve his case for MVP votes given the way the Celtics struggled without him. Thomas is second in the NBA in averaging 29.2 points per game. He was back Monday. Boston is 2-0 vs. the Pacers this year, winning both at Indianapolis. The first game was 105-99 on Nov. 12. Thomas led all scorers with 23 points while Kelly Olynyk added 16 points, six rebounds and four assists. Amir Johnson added 14 points and nine boards while Avery Bradley added 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists. The Pacers were led by Jeff Teague and his 20 points and four assists while Myles Turner added 17 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. On Dec. 22, Boston won 109-102. The Celtics took control of the game during the second quarter when they outscored the Pacers 29-9. Thomas led the Celtics with 28 points and nine assists while Jae Crowder and Bradley each scored 15 points. Horford pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds while Marcus Smart (12 pts) and Olynyk (11 pts) each scored in double figures off the bench. The Pacers were led by Teague and his 31 points and eight assists while CJ Miles and George each scored 19 points.

Indiana at Boston Pick: Boston Celtics

As long as Thomas is in the lineup and doesn’t get another game off, Boston will cover as Indiana has struggled on the road.