Boston Celtics vs. Indiana Pacers prediction, odds, TV channel for December 21
The Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers take to the T.D. Garden parquet on Wednesday, December 21 for their first of three matchups during the 2022-23 regular season — and both are looking to avoid a three-game losing streak in the process.
Boston inexplicably lost to the Orlando Magic twice last weekend despite returning Robert Williams III to the lineup. Both games hit the under, and both were wildly underwhelming showings from the Cs, who no longer own the top record in the NBA or Eastern Conference any more as of this writing. The Milwaukee Bucks do. Meanwhile, Indiana dropped games to the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks to slip into the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference as of this writing.
Perhaps the most notable Pacers development this season has been the emergence of former Boston Celtics lottery pick Aaron Nesmith. The Vanderbilt product has started 15 of Indiana’s 27 games this season and most recently went for 23 points and 10 rebounds against the Knicks.
Can Nesmith help power the Pacers past the Cs as a substantial underdog? Or will the Cs take care of business on their home floor against the team they acquired their sixth man, Malcolm Brogdon, from? Hardwood Houdini has your odds and a prediction for the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers on NBC Sports Boston, Bally Sports Indiana, and NBA League Pass (all odds provided by WynnBET):
Boston Celtics vs. Indiana Pacers odds, spread
The Celtics are 10-point favorites against the Pacers at home. Boston’s odds are -475 to win outright, with the Indiana moneyline set at +365. The over/under for the game has been placed at 233 points.
Celtics vs. Pacers prediction
With Marcus Smart questionable, the Houdini doesn’t feel comfortable laying the 10 against Indiana considering an illness is the ailment potentially keeping him out.
The Cs were consistently hitting overs to start the season, but the under may be the wave until the regular starters get more time in the lineup together.
Pick: 233u (-110)
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.