The Boston Celtics host the red hot Indiana Pacers tonight, Friday Jan 26th, as the Celtics look to extend their three game win streak. The Pacers have won three straight over the Celtics. NBA oddsmakers have the Pacers as -3 point road favorites over the Celtics with the over/under set at 174.5 points. Be sure to check the Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics 2012 NBA Predictions before the game tips off.
Indiana (12-5, 7-4 V) defeated the Bulls 95-90 handing Chicago their first home loss of the season. Danny Granger had 22 points with nine rebounds and Roy Hibbert scored 20 as Indiana overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to hand the East-leading Bulls their first home defeat. “Right now we expect to win,” Granger said. The Indiana Pacers trail one place behind Chicago in the Central Division.
The Pacers certainly feel confident when facing Boston. Granger scored 21 in a 97-83 win over the aging Celtics on Jan. 14, eight days after the Pacers snapped a seven-game skid at Boston with an 87-84 victory. Indiana has won just twice in 13 games at TD Garden since a three-game winning streak there that spanned the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons. However, after holding the Celtics to their second-fewest points of the season earlier this month, the Pacers are confident they can win just about anywhere. “We have confidence that we can beat any team in any building,” coach Frank Vogel said. “We knew to win (at Boston) we’d have to make it like an Eastern Conference playoff-type battle. Just grind it out.”
Boston (8-9, 5-5 H) erases a 27-point deficit and beat the Orlando Magic for the second time this week, 91-83 on Thursday night, without injured starters Ray Allen (ankle), Rajon Rondo (wrist) and Jermaine O’Neal (knee). Paul Pierce had 24 points and 10 assists, E’Twaun Moore added 16 points, while Pierce and Moore had 10 points each in the fourth quarter. The Celtics have won three straight for just the second time this season. It also was their fourth consecutive victory over the Magic, dating to last season.
Boston, which ranks near the bottom of the NBA averaging 89.5 points per game, has shot 38.9 percent against the Pacers this season. Granger, like many, believes one reason for the Celtics’ offensive struggles has to do with time finally catching up with the veteran club. “One thing you can’t battle, you can’t fight, is age,” said Granger, averaging just 12.8 points on 33.9 percent shooting in 10 games at TD Garden. “They all are Hall-of-Famers, but you get to a point where age catches up with you and it’s hard to compete at the level you once competed at. I don’t know if they’re there yet. They still could bounce back this season. I’m just glad we had the two wins.” If the three prominent injured Celtics miss this contest, Boston again could turn to Pierce. The veteran forward has averaged 25.7 points and 9.0 assists over the last three games. Pierce scored 21 at Indiana two weeks ago, but was held to 10 on 3-of-17 shooting in the home loss to the Pacers earlier this month.
Recent Trends to Consider:
Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Boston.
Under is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings.
Favorite is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
Home team is 10-4 ATS in the last 14 meetings.
Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. Eastern Conference.
Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Pacers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics
When: Friday, Jan 26th@8:00 PM EST
Pick: Pacers -3
Point-Spreads recommends you check the Pacers vs Celtics 2012 NBA Point Spreads before the game tips off.
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