The No. 1 seed Boston Celtics are going for the sweep in the 2024 NBA Eastern Conference finals when they play the No. 6 seed Indiana Pacers on Monday evening. The Pacers are hoping to get a win on their home court to keep the series alive. In Game 3, Indiana blew an 18-point lead as Boston defeated the Pacers 114-111. Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) is questionable for Indiana. Meanwhile, Kristaps Porzingis (calf) is out for the Celtics.
The game from Gainbridge Fieldhouse will tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET. Boston is a 7.5-point favorite in the latest Pacers vs. Celtics odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 222.5. Before making any Celtics vs. Pacers picks, be sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model entered the conference finals in the 2024 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 94-61 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,800. Anyone following the model has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Pacers vs. Celtics and just locked in its picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are the NBA betting lines and trends for Celtics vs. Pacers:
- Pacers vs. Celtics spread: Boston -7.5
- Pacers vs. Celtics over/under: 222.5 points
- Pacers vs. Celtics money line: Boston -298, Indiana +239
- BOS: 48-41-3 ATS as favorites this season
- IND: 9-3-1 ATS as home underdog this season
- Pacers vs. Celtics picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Celtics can cover
The Celtics have multiple players who can step up and be effective on a nightly basis. Forward Jayson Tatum is an athletic, three-level scorer with footwork that makes him a nightmare to defend. In the 2024 NBA playoffs, Tatum leads the team in points (26), rebounds (10.2) and assists (5.8). In the Game 3 win, he finished with 36 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.
Guard Jaylen Brown has been a downhill scoring threat with the strength to absorb contact at the rim. The California product can also space the floor due to his smooth jumper. He averages 24.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per contest. In Game 3, Brown totaled 40 points, five rebounds and went 4-of-10 from downtown. See which team to pick here.
Why the Pacers can cover
Forward Pascal Siakam has been the Pacers’ best player throughout the postseason. Siakam is a long and active presence in the frontcourt with a great touch in the lane. The 30-year-old has the ability to shoot right over defenders. The two-time All-Star leads the team in scoring (21.8) and rebounds (7.4). In his last outing, Siakam finished with 22 points and six assists.
Center Myles Turner is a reliable rim protector with the instinct to quickly recover around the basket. Turner has a strong jumper to space the floor and will finish around the rim. The Texas product logs 17.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. In Game 3, Turner totaled a double-double of 22 points and 10 boards. See which team to pick here.
How to make Pacers vs. Celtics picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Under on the point total, projecting 219 combined points. It has also generated an against-the-spread pick that hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can only get the model’s picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Pacers vs. Celtics, and which side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Celtics vs. Pacers spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that has returned more than $2,800 on its NBA picks this season, and find out.