NBA Picks: Boston Celtics vs. Indiana Pacers

Boston Celtics vs. Indiana Pacers
Tuesday, 3/11/14, 7:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Indiana -12
Current Betting Line: Indiana -12
Opening Total: 195
Current Total: 195
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Indiana Pacers have been tremendous at home against conference rivals

Boston has won back-to-back games, including a 118-111 victory over the Detroit Pistons as one-point home favorites Sunday, while going OVER the betting total of 206.5. The Celtics have three of five probable starters averaging double figures, with forward Jeff Green leading the way at 16.9 points a contest, which is important to consider when making your NBA betting picks. The team is 8-22 SU on the road, including a 8-9 mark versus Eastern Conference opponents. Boston is 8-0 ATS in its last eight affairs versus conference rivals.

The Celtics will try to avoid getting swept in a season series by the Pacers for the first time in 15 years, which can’t be ignored when looking over the NBA betting lines. Boston is coming off its highest-scoring game since Nov. 11—helped out by finishing with a season-high 38 assists and a season-lower seven turnovers. The squad has dropped its three prior meetings with Indiana by an average of 15.7 points.

Indiana will try to avoid its longest losing streak in more than two years, as it returns home after dropping a 105-94 decision to the Dallas Mavericks as 1.5-point road favorites Sunday, while going OVER the betting total of 198.5. The Pacers have all five probable starters averaging double figures, with forward Paul George leading the way at 22.3 points a contest. He recorded his ninth double-double of the season in finishing with 27 points and 11 rebounds last time out. Indiana is 5-17-1 ATS in its last 23 games.

The Pacers are 29-4 SU at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, including a dominating 19-1 mark when taking on conference opponents. Indiana ranks first in the NBA in allowing just 35.3 points per game in the paint, which has played a big part in outscoring opponents by an average of 5.7 points in the second half during the 2013-14 campaign. The team is also sixth in the league in grabbing 45.2 boards per contest.