Boston Celtics at Indiana Pacers
Banker’s Life Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, Indiana
Saturday, April 7, 2012, 7:05 pm Eastern, TV: NBA League Pass
Opening Line: Indiana -2
Current Line: Indiana -1 1/2
Opening Total: 187
Current Total: 186 1/2
Opening Money Line: Pacers -125 / Celtics +105
Current Money Line: Pacers -120 / Celtics +100
The 34-21 Indiana Pacers, coached by Frank Vogel, have won 4 games in a row including a 103-98 win over West leading Oklahoma City last night in Indianapolis. The Pacers are in second place in the Central Division, 8.5 games behind the Bulls. However, the Pacers have the third best record in the Eastern Conference, by 3.5 games over Boston.
The Pacers host the Celtics Saturday night in a key Eastern Conference match-up for both teams. The 30-24 Celtics, coached by Doc Rivers, lead the Atlantic Division by a game over Philadelphia and a game and a half over New York. The Celtics have lost 2 games in a row to two of the best teams in basketball, at home against San Antonio Wednesday night 87-86 and at Chicago Thursday night 93-86. Before the two game slide, Boston had won 5 games in a row.
The Celtics and Pacers have played three times already this season, but they haven’t played since January 27. Indiana won on the road January 6 87-74, and in Indianapolis 97-83 8 days later. The Celtics won at home 94-87 January 27. Since the start of the 2006 season, Boston is 13-8 against Indiana.
Boston is outscoring opponents 91-90 this season. The Celtics are #3 in points allowed in the NBA. Boston is shooting 45.7% from the field and 36.1% from 3 point range. The Celtics make 77.8% from the free throw line. Boston is in the top 10 in the league in all three shooting categories. Boston is last in the league in rebounding averaging just 38.5 a game with a rebounding margin of -5.1. The Celtics average 23.5 assists, 14.8 turnovers, 7.3 steals, and 5.5 blocks a game. Boston is second in the league in assists. Celtic opponents are shooting 42% from the field and 30.1% from 3 point range. The Celtics lead the lead in both categories. Boston forces 15.5 turnovers a game.
Paul Pierce averages 19.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals a game. Kevin Garnett averages 15.5 points, 8.3 rebounds to lead the team, 3 assists, and 1.1 blocks a game. Ray Allen averages 14.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.1 steals a game. Rajon Rondo averages 12.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 11.1 assists, and 1.8 steals a game. He is second in the league in assists, and leads the Celtics in steals. Forward Brandon Bass averages 12.3 points, and 6 rebounds a game. Small forward Mickael Pietrus is out indefinitely with a concussion. Center Jermaine O’Neal leads the Celtics in blocks with 1.7 a game, but he is out indefinitely with a wrist injury.
Indiana is outscoring opponents 97-94 this season. Indiana is ninth in points allowed. The Pacers are shooting 44% from the field and 36.6% from 3 point range. Indiana makes 77.9% from the free throw line. The Pacers are in the top 10 in the league in 3 point shooting and free throw shooting. Indiana is #7 in rebounding averaging 43.3 a game with a rebounding margin of +1.4. The Pacers average 18.4 assists, 14.2 turnovers, 7.9 steals, and 5.5 blocks a game. Indiana opponents are shooting 43.5% from the field and 35% from 3 point range. The Pacers are #8 in opponent’s field goal percentage. The Pacers force 15 turnovers a game.
Indiana small forward Danny Granger averages 18.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.1 steals a game. Center Roy Hibbert averages 13 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 2 blocks a game. He leads the Pacers in rebounding and blocks. Shooting guard Paul George averages 12.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.7 steals a game to lead the team. Power forward David West averages 11.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists a game. Shooting guard Leandro Barbosa was acquired from Toronto before trading deadline. He is averaging 11.3 points a game this season. Darren Collison 10.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists to lead the team. Tyler Hansbrough and George Hill also contribute to the scoring and play significant minutes in the rotation.
Indiana is 27-28 ATS this season and the total is 28-25-2 this season. Boston is 26-26-2 ATS and the total is 23-28-3 this season. The home team is 4-1 ATS recently in this series. Indiana is 5-1 ATS at home against Boston in the last 6. The Celtics are 2-0-2 ATS against teams with winning records, 5-0-1 as an underdog of 4.5 points or less, 5-0-2 overall, 3-0-1 in Eastern Conference games, 5-0 on 1 day rest, 5-1 as a road underdog of 4.5 points or less, 4-1-1 after a straight up loss, and in road games, 3-1-2 as an underdog, 3-1-1 in road games against teams with winning home records, 2-6 in Saturday games, and 1-5-1 against Central division teams. The Pacers are 4-0 ATS overall and after scoring 100 points or more, 6-1 against teams with winning records, 4-1 after a cover, 5-11 as a home favorite, 11-27 in back to backs, 2-6 as a favorite of 4.5 points or less, and 2-6 against Atlantic division teams.
Though the Pacers don’t have quite the star power of the league’s other elite teams, they could be a dangerous sleeper team in the upcoming NBA playoffs. I honestly think Indiana and Memphis are the two teams no one wants to play in the playoffs. Indiana is playing some of their best basketball right now. The Celtics have two narrow losses in a row to San Antonio and Chicago. Their losing streak continues tonight in Indy.
