Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers Prediction, Game 2 Picks, Odds, Injury Report for 5/23/24

The Boston Celtics took the home-court advantage in Game 1 of this series to ink out a tight win over the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers have found it hard in recent games to find their rhythm playing at the TD Garden, they are 1-11 SU in their last 12 games at this venue. Can they break the jinx here? Our Celtics vs Pacers prediction is available below!

The Celtics are favorites with an implied probability of 80% to win this one at 1.25 odds, while the Pacers are available at 4.10 odds. The point spread is +/-9.0 points, and the total points line is at 224.5.

The Boston Celtics will battle the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. For more NBA picks from Agbeniga Ayobami and other basketball experts, visit our Expert Insights section.

Celtics vs Pacers Picks and Prediction

• Selections: Celtics -10.0
• Odds: 1.90
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 6/10

Odds are available as of May 23rd, 2024. Odds may now differ.

The Celtics rank third in defensive efficiency during the playoffs and have a 5-2 record at TD Garden. They have covered the spread in each of their last 5 playoff games against the Pacers. The Pacers are 1-11 in their last 12 road games against the Celtics, and the favorites have covered the spread in five of the Pacers’ last six Eastern Conference Finals games. No doubt, despite falling to cover in Game 1, the Celtics will cover here.

Celtics vs Pacers Game Info

• Date: Friday, May 24th, 2024
• Time: 01:00 (CET)
• Arena: TD Garden
• Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Boston Celtics Injury Report, Team News

The Celtics were on the brink of losing Game 1 after falling behind by five points and struggling to execute down the stretch, but they managed to pull through and maintain their home-court advantage. They shot 47% from the field, 33.3% (15 of 45) from three-point range, and 80% (24 of 30) from the free-throw line. 

Jayson Tatum led the team with 36 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists. Jrue Holiday contributed 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Jaylen Brown added 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. The Celtics have won their last four games and hold a 5-2 record at home in these NBA playoffs.

The Boston Celtics are averaging 110.4 points per game. They shoot 47.9% from the field, 37.2% from beyond the arc, and 79.6% from the free throw line. They are allowing 99.5 points per game, 45.8% from the field and 34.1% from deep. The Celtics are 47-41-5 ATS. They have covered 54.5% (6-5) of their playoff games and have covered 54.3% (25-21-2) of games as a home team. Kristaps Porzingis has been ruled out of this clash with a calf injury. 

Indiana Pacers Injury Report, Team News

The Indiana Pacers must win one of the first two road games to have a chance of advancing to the NBA Finals after their close 133-128 overtime loss to the Celtics in Game 1 on Tuesday. Despite almost taking Game 1, the Pacers’ poor management in the final moments allowed the Celtics to win.

The Pacers shot 53% from the field 37.1% (13 of 35) from the 3-point line, and 90% (9 of 10) from the charity stripe. Tyrese Haliburton led the team with 25 points and 10 assists, Pascal Siakam dropped 24 points with 12 rebounds and 7 assists, Myles Turner added 23 points with 10 rebounds and 4 assists and Andrew Nembhard contributed 12 points and 7 assists. The Pacers have won 4 of their last 6 games and hold a 2-6 SU record on the road in these NBA playoffs.

The Indiana Pacers are averaging 115.2 points per game. They shoot 50.9% from the field, 38% from beyond the arc, and 73.5% from the charity stripe. The Indiana Pacers are allowing 112.4 points per game, from 46.8% field points and 36.5% shooting from deep. The Pacers are 52-42-3 ATS. They have covered 57.1% (8-6) of their games in the playoffs and are 17-13-1 ATS as away underdogs. The Pacers are 1-11 SU in their last 12 games against the Celtics on the road. Bennedict Mathurin was ruled out of the season a few months ago after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder.

Celtics vs Pacers Betting Trends

• The Celtics are 47-41-5 ATS.
• The Pacers are 52-42-3 ATS.
• The Celtics have covered 54.5% (6-5) of their playoff games. 
• The Celtics have covered 54.3% (25-21-2) of games as a home team. 
• The Pacers have covered 57.1% (8-6) of their games in the playoffs.
• The Pacers are 17-13-1 ATS as away underdogs. 
• The Pacers are 1-11 SU in their last 12 games against the Celtics on the road.

Celtics vs Pacers H2H 

The Pacers and Celtics have met 224 times—both the regular season and playoffs. The Pacers have won 97 and the Celtics have 127 wins in those games. The Celtics won the last game between them, 133-128.

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