In a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, the Boston Celtics take their undefeated record on the road to play a lackluster Indiana Pacers squad.
With Indy's biggest star struggling to find his rhythm, Boston’s defense is poised to shut him down, and our Celtics vs. Pacers predictions and NBA picks for Tuesday, October 29 expect Tyrese Haliburton to have a difficult night.
Celtics vs Pacers prediction
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Tyrese Haliburton Under 30.5 points + rebounds + assists (-110 at bet365)
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My analysis
It’s almost like Tyrese Haliburton has the yips. He went from being an unstoppable force early last season to injuries impacting his play down the stretch.
In the playoffs, there wasn’t a more unpredictable player. He’d drop 35 one night and fail to crack 20 the next — and it appears his sporadic play has carried over into this season.
While it’s a small sample size, he's averaging his fewest points per game (14.0) since his rookie year with the Kings (13.0). Perhaps the more concerning aspect of his struggles, though, is the fact he’s not handing out apples like the one house on the street nobody wants to trick-or-treat at.
In his first two full seasons with the Indiana Pacers, he was atop the league in assists per game, averaging 10+ per night in each season. That number has dipped to 5.3 to start the season.
He’s been an erratic mess, even going 0-for-8 from the floor and finishing with zero points last week against the Knicks. With Haliburton averaging just 24.1 combined points + rebounds + assists so far this season, it’s going to be nearly impossible for him to go Over 30.5 against the Boston Celtics.
The reigning champs had one of the best defenses in the NBA last season — fifth in points allowed (109.2) and third in defensive rating (111.6) — and with pretty much everybody back from last year’s team, it’s been much of the same early on.
Boston is allowing the seventh-fewest points per game (109.2) and ranks 11th in defensive rating (111.1). More importantly, when it comes to stopping Haliburton, the Celtics’ perimeter defense has been elite.
Joe Mazzulla’s squad is allowing the second-fewest 3-pointers per game in the NBA (10.0) and the third-lowest 3-point percentage (29.4%). And it won’t be easy for Haliburton to juice his PRA number with assists and rebounds, either.
The Celtics are allowing the fifth-fewest rebounds in the league (40.3) and the seventh-fewest assists (23.0).
Celtics vs Pacers same-game parlay (SGP)
Tyrese Haliburton Under 30.5 points + rebounds + assists
Myles Turner Over 1.5 turnovers
Jaylen Brown Over 6.5 rebounds
Halliburton won’t be the only franchise player on the Pacers to struggle against Boston. The Celtics have handled business against big men this season, and Myles Turner is in for a tough night against a feisty frontcourt.
He’s already Top 3 in turnovers per game among centers this season (3.3) and leads Indiana by a wide margin. Turner has gone Over 1.5 turnovers in three of four games this season, and against Boston’s defense, those issues will continue.
Turner may also have a hard time pulling in boards with the energy Jaylen Brown is playing with around the glass this season. Brown leads the team in rebounds per game (7.8) and has had 7+ in three of four games.
The Pacers’ rebounding has been shaky, too. Indiana is last in the NBA in rebounds per game (38.3) and allows the seventh-most offensive rebounds (13.5).
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Celtics vs Pacers odds
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Get the latest Celtics vs Pacers NBA odds.
Celtics vs Pacers opening odds
- Spread: Boston -6 | Indiana +6
- Moneyline: Boston -245 | Indiana +200
- Over/Under: Over 231.5 | Under 231.5
Celtics vs Pacers spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Celtics opened as a 6-point favorite on the road against Indiana, with most books now offering Boston -7.
- Boston has been one of the best teams ATS this season (3-1), while Indiana is middle of the pack at 2-2
- The Over/Under opened as low as 231.5 but has since jumped all the way up to 235 at most books. Both teams are 2-2 betting the Over this season.
Celtics vs Pacers trend
The Celtics have covered the first-half spread in 61 of their last 92 games (+24.65 units / 23% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Pacers.
Celtics vs Pacers game info
| Location: | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN |
| Date: | Wednesday, 10-30-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
Celtics vs Pacers latest injuries
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