Pacers vs Celtics Prediction NBA Experts Picks 03/24

© Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Game Preview: Pacers vs Celtics

The Indiana Pacers will face the Boston Celtics in an Eastern Conference matchup on March 24, 2023. The game pits two teams with contrasting records against each other, as the Celtics sit second in the conference with a record of 50-23, while the Pacers are 11th with a 33-40 record. Both teams will look to bounce back from some inconsistent form in their recent games. The Celtics have gone 5-5 in their last ten games, while the Pacers have mirrored their record with five wins and five losses. Basketball fans will be eagerly awaiting predictions and NBA picks from experts and computer systems alike. The game is bound to be exciting, with both teams boasting talented rosters and star players who could make the difference in the outcome of the game. Will Jayson Tatum lead the Celtics to victory with his impressive 30.1 points-per-game average and 8.9 rebounds? Or will Bennedict Mathurin and Buddy Hield power the Pacers to an upset victory over the higher-ranked Celtics? Sports betting enthusiasts will be looking for the best NBA bets today, as well as expert NBA picks and parlays to help them make their predictions. Regardless of the outcome, this matchup is sure to be a thrilling encounter, featuring some of the best NBA players showcasing their skills and delivering top-notch entertainment. NBA today experts and NBA picks em predictions will be closely monitoring this game, providing their expert insights and analysis for fans to follow.

Pacers: Offensive Analysis

The Indiana Pacers face a tough challenge in their upcoming game against the Boston Celtics. While the Pacers have been consistent on the offensive end, they will need to step up their game to keep pace with the Celtics. The Pacers have been averaging 115.9 points per game, ranking 12th in the league. However, they have struggled defensively, giving up an average of 118.2 points per game, ranking 26th in the league. The team must work on their defense in order to upset the Celtics. In terms of shooting, the Pacers have been shooting at 46.7%, ranking 24th in the league. Their effective field goal percentage of 54.4% also ranks 16th in the league. The team has been struggling with their two-point percentage, shooting at a rate of 54.0%. With the Celtics' strong defense, the Pacers will need to find ways to improve their shooting percentage to remain competitive. The Pacers have been strong in sharing the ball, averaging 26.8 assists per game, the highest in the Eastern Conference. However, they will need to be careful with their turnovers as they average 14.9 turnovers per game. Overall, the Pacers have been a decent offensive team, but they will need to improve their defense and shooting to challenge the Celtics. NBA picks experts and NBA picks computer algorithms are favoring the Celtics to win this game, but the Pacers' offense can score in bunches if they play to their strengths. Fans should expect a high-scoring game with a potential for a close finish.

Pacers: Defensive Analysis

The Indiana Pacers have struggled defensively this season and will need to step up their game to have any chance of winning against the Boston Celtics. The Pacers currently rank 26th in the league in defense, allowing 118.2 points per game. Their opponents have averaged 122.9 points in their last 10 games, highlighting the team's defensive struggles. To turn things around, the Pacers need to focus on improving their rebounding and defending the paint. They rank 21st in the league in rebounding, averaging 50.1 rebounds per game, while also giving up 52.0 points in the paint per game (21st in the league). The Celtics are a strong rebounding team, ranking third in the Eastern Conference with 45.0 rebounds per game, so the Pacers will need to work hard to control the boards. In addition, the Pacers need to improve their defensive efficiency. They currently rank 25th in the league in opponent effective field goal percentage (55.0%). The Celtics, on the other hand, rank 6th in the league in effective field goal percentage (56.4%). The Pacers must step up their defense to contain Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who are averaging 30.1 and 28.8 points per game respectively. The Pacers do have some strengths on defense, however. They lead the Eastern Conference in assists per game (26.8) and are second in the league in opponent turnovers per game (15.1). These strengths will be crucial in disrupting the Celtics' offensive rhythm and creating turnovers. In conclusion, the Pacers have some defensive weaknesses that they need to address in order to have a chance against the Celtics. They need to improve their rebounding, defend the paint better, and increase their defensive efficiency. However, they do have strengths in creating turnovers and disrupting offensive sets. It will be a tough challenge, but if the Pacers can execute their defensive game plan, they may be able to come away with a victory.

Celtics: Offense Analysis

The Boston Celtics have been a force to be reckoned with on the offensive end, ranking third in the Eastern Conference in rebounding with 45.0 rebounds per game. Led by Jayson Tatum with 30.1 points per game, the Celtics have averaged 117.8 points per game, ranking third in the league. This puts the Celtics in a great position to dominate the Indiana Pacers in their upcoming matchup. The Pacers, on the other hand, have struggled on the offensive end, averaging 115.9 points per game which ranks 12th in the Eastern Conference. While Indiana leads the Eastern Conference in total assists per game with 26.8, this may not be enough against a Celtics team who have been strong in transition, averaging 13.9 fastbreak points per game. Utilizing the strong offensive weapons of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who have been averaging 28.8 points per game over the past 10 games, it is likely that the Celtics will continue to dominate in scoring. Additionally, the Pacers' defense ranks 26th in the league, allowing 118.2 points per game, which will make it easier for the Celtics to score at will. In terms of betting, the best NBA bets today would definitely be to pick the Celtics for the win. With the Celtics' dominance on the offensive end, it is likely that they will cover the spread and come away with a victory. NBA picks experts and computer models all point to a favorable outcome for the Celtics in this matchup. In conclusion, based on the NBA picks and parlay predictions, it is safe to say that the Celtics will have a strong offensive showing against the Indiana Pacers. With their star power on display and solid offensive execution, it is likely that the Celtics will come away with a win in this matchup.

Celtics: Defensive Analysis

As the Boston Celtics face off against the Indiana Pacers, their top-ranked defense will be their biggest asset. With an average score margin of +5.6 and allowing just 112.2 points per game, the Celtics are a force to be reckoned with on that end of the court. In terms of statistics, the Celtics rank third in the Eastern Conference in rebounding with an average of 45 per game. These rebounds, combined with their strong defense, have contributed significantly to their success this season. Notably, Jayson Tatum has been a key player for the Celtics on both ends of the court. His 8.9 rebounds per game lead the team, and he also averages 30.1 points and 4.7 assists per game. Additionally, Jaylen Brown's recent performances have been impressive, with 28.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game over the past 10 games. On the other hand, the Indiana Pacers have struggled defensively with an average of 118.2 points allowed per game, which ranks 26th in the league. This presents a significant opportunity for the Celtics to capitalize on their opponent's weaknesses and secure a victory. Despite the absence of Payton Pritchard and Danilo Gallinari due to injuries, the Celtics' defense remains strong and should provide a solid foundation for the team to build upon. With their recent record of 5-5 and a shooting percentage of 46.4%, the Celtics will look to continue their strong defensive play and emerge victorious against the Pacers. In conclusion, based on expert NBA picks and computer predictions, the Celtics are a solid defensive team that is well-positioned to win against the Pacers. Fans can expect to see strong performances from Tatum and Brown on both ends of the court, as well as a cohesive team effort to lock down their opponents defensively.

Injury Report

The Indiana Pacers will be without the services of Tyrese Haliburton, Kendall Brown, and Chris Duarte. Haliburton is out with a knee injury, while Brown and Duarte are sidelined with tibia and ankle injuries, respectively. On the other hand, the Boston Celtics will be missing Payton Pritchard and Danilo Gallinari. Pritchard is out with a heel injury, while Gallinari is sidelined with a knee injury. These injuries could have an impact on the game as both teams will have to rely on their depth to step up and contribute in the absence of key players. It will also be important for the coaching staff to manage the minutes of their players to avoid any further injuries. When making nba picks and parlay or nba picks with spread, it is important to consider the injury report and how it could affect the outcome of the game. Based on the current injury report, it seems like the Boston Celtics have the advantage as they are only missing two players, while the Indiana Pacers are without three key contributors. However, anything can happen in the NBA, and both teams will be looking to come away with the win.

Betting Trends

In terms of betting trends, the Boston Celtics have been one of the more consistent teams in the league this season. The Celtics are 36-37-0 against the spread, which ranks 14th in the NBA. They have also been profitable for those betting on the moneyline, as they are 44-29-0 on the season. On the other hand, the Indiana Pacers have not been as successful for bettors. They are 31-42-0 against the spread, which ranks 22nd in the NBA. They have also been slightly profitable on the moneyline, with a record of 37-36-0. When it comes to over/under bets, both teams have been relatively even. The Celtics have gone over the point total in 39 of their 73 games this season, while the Pacers have done so in 37 of their 73 games. As for expert predictions, NBA picks and parlays, and NBA computer picks, there is no clear consensus on which team to bet on. However, based on their success this season and their solid record at home, the Celtics may be the safer bet in this matchup. It's always important to do your own research and analysis before placing any bets, but the Celtics are definitely a team to keep an eye on.

NBA Game Preview and Prediction: Pacers vs. Celtics - March 24, 2023

The Indiana Pacers will visit the Boston Celtics in a conference matchup that will feature two talented and high-scoring teams. The Celtics will be the favorites in this game due to their stronger record and home-court advantage. However, the Pacers have shown an ability to compete with top teams and should not be overlooked. Both teams are capable of putting up big numbers, with players like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Buddy Hield leading the way on the Celtics side, and Bennedict Mathurin and Tyrese Haliburton providing firepower for the Pacers. However, the Pacers' high assist rate and fast break points per game could give them the edge in this matchup. While Boston has been strong defensively this season, Indiana's top-ranked offense in terms of assists per game, and fast break points could cause some trouble for the Celtics. Additionally, the Pacers' efficient shooting from beyond the arc and their advantage in blocks per game are other factors that could help them pull off a minor upset on the road. In conclusion, while the Celtics are favored at home, the Pacers have the potential to score the upset victory, and with a +6.5 point spread, taking the Pacers is the best bet. Ultimately, it should be a close and entertaining matchup between two Eastern Conference contenders.

Pick: Indiana Pacers (+6.5)