The Celtics (24-14) have been one of the best surprises in the NBA this season, while the Pacers (8-31) have been one of the biggest disappointments.
The two Eastern Conference teams face off for the third time this season on Monday, January 12, at 7:30 p.m. ET on Peacock.
Below, we'll give you the best Celtics vs. Pacers predictions, picks, and stats to know for PrizePicks today, including for Celtics PG Payton Pritchard and Pacers PF Pascal Siakam.
Celtics vs. Pacers Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
The big injury news for this matchup is that Celtics SG Jaylen Brown (back) is listed as doubtful. He has led the team with SF Jayson Tatum (Achilles) out, averaging career highs in points (29.5) and assists (5.0).
In addition to Brown, the Celtics have listed SF Sam Hauser (hamstring) as questionable and F Josh Minott (ankle) as out.
Pacers G Bennedict Mathurin (thumb) is out again, marking his fifth straight absence. Pacers G Andrew Nembhard (back) is listed as questionable after scoring 29 points in a 123-99 win over the Heat on Saturday.
Celtics vs. Pacers Over/Under, Spread
The Celtics are 6.5-point favorites, returning a 1.4x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Pacers are underdogs at home with a 2.7x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks, where you can pick winners, spreads, and over/under
Spread: Celtics -6.5
Total: 224.5
Gamer Winner Payout: Celtics 1.4x | Pacers 2.7x
Team picks data is live as of publishing and is subject to change.
Celtics vs. Pacers Prediction on Spread Winner
- The Celtics won both games that Brown missed previously this season. Both victories were on the road and came by at least 16 points.
- Boston is 7-4 against the spread as road favorites.
- The Pacers are 8-9 against the spread versus teams that have won at least 55% of their games.
- The status of Nembhard could prove to be key; Indiana is 3-6 in games that he has missed this season.
- In two previous battles between these teams this season, the Celtics won both games by at least 8 points.
Celtics vs. Pacers Picks, Stats for PrizePicks Today
Here are three of the top Celtics vs. Pacers picks on PrizePicks for Monday, January 12. Player projections via the PrizePicks real money NBA game.
Celtics PG Payton Pritchard vs. Pacers Projection: 22.5 Points
- Pritchard averages 17.6 points per game on the road, compared to 16.0 a night at home.
- The last time Pritchard faced the Pacers in Indiana, he scored 29 points in a 140-122 win for the Celtics.
- The former first-round pick averages 14.0 shot attempts per game for the season, but he attempted at least 21 shots in both previous games that Brown has been sidelined.
- The Pacers allow the sixth-highest opponent field goal percentage (48.3%) in the league.
- Although the Celtics play at the slowest pace (96.28) in the league, this game could be more up-tempo for the Celtics, as the Pacers play at the 10th-fastest pace (101.82).
Pacers PF Pascal Siakam vs. Celtics Projection: 7 Rebounds
- After averaging 6.9 rebounds per game last season, Siakam has nearly duplicated that with 6.8 boards a night during the current campaign.
- The 31-year-old averages 6.5 rebounds at home, versus 7.2 boards on the road.
- Over his last 15 games, the former Raptor has posted 6 or fewer rebounds nine times.
- The Celtics have permitted the fifth-fewest rebounds per game (41.8) in the league.
- In two previous meetings with Boston, Siakam logged exactly 6 rebounds each time.
Pacers G Johnny Furphy vs. Celtics Projection: 13.5 Pts+Rebs+Asts
- Pacers G Johnny Furphy has started at SG in each of the last four games with Mathurin out.
- He averaged 22 minutes per game during that span, compared to his season average of 16 minutes a night.
- With added minutes, Furphy logged at least 15 combined points, rebounds, and assists three times.
- The 21-year-old is an efficient scorer, shooting 52.5% from the field and 35.9% from behind the arc.
- In his last game against the Celtics, Furphy posted 9 points and 2 rebounds over just 18 minutes.
Make Celtics vs. Pacers Picks on PrizePicks
Celtics PG Pritchard will try to pick up the scoring slack for the Celtics on Monday with Brown not expected to take the floor.
Furphy could also provide increased production for the shorthanded Pacers, although Siakam might struggle to control the glass.
With plenty of projections to consider for Celtics vs. Pacers and the rest of Monday’s slate, now is the time to make your NBA picks on PrizePicks.
Just pick More or Less for at least two NBA player stat projections to build your Lineup on PrizePicks. Or, make your picks on winners, spreads, and over/unders on Team Picks, now available in 30 states!
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