Celtics Aim to Sweep Pacers Amid Injury Woes

Recap: Celtics vs Pacers – A Tale of Two Seasons

Just days after a thrilling 103-95 victory over the Indiana Pacers on December 23, the Boston Celtics return to the court for a rematch on December 26. This quick turnaround highlights the stark contrast between these two Eastern Conference rivals: the Celtics (18-11) sit comfortably in third place, while the Pacers (6-24) are reeling from a franchise-worst six-game losing streak.

The Celtics dominated Monday's contest, riding yet another stellar performance from Jaylen Brown, who scored 30+ points for the eighth consecutive time this month. Boston's defense clamped down after allowing Indiana to shoot 58% in the first half, securing the win on the road. Now, they look to complete a rare back-to-back sweep against a Pacers team decimated by injuries.

Pacers' Plight: Injuries and Historical Milestones

Indiana's struggles extend beyond their record. They're missing multiple key players: star guard Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles), starters Aaron Nesmith, Obi Toppin, Isaiah Jackson, and rookie Ben Sheppard. This depletion has crippled their offense, which ranks dead last in the NBA (101.4 offensive rating).

Compounding the misery, head coach Rick Carlisle stands just one win shy of his 1,000th career NBA victory. Achieving this milestone would normally be a celebration, but with his team's recent performance, the focus remains on finding any semblance of stability.

Betting Breakdown: Heavy Favorites and Low Expectations

Oddsmakers have made the Celtics overwhelming favorites, with a spread of -8.5 (-114) and a moneyline of -340. The total sits at 222.5 points, with the UNDER (-108) favored.

Several factors support the UNDER:

• The Celtics play at the slowest pace in the NBA
• Indiana has the league's worst offense
• Both teams rank in the top 10 for UNDER bets this season
• They combined for just 198 points in their last meeting

For player props, Jaylen Brown stands out with an OVER 29.5 points (-115). He's averaging 29.4 PPG this month and has exceeded 30 points in 18 of 27 games.

Keys to the Game

Boston's Focus: Maintain defensive intensity after letting Indiana shoot lights out early Monday. Jayson Tatum remains out, but depth from Derrick White and Payton Pritchard provides stability.

Indiana's Challenge: With Haliburton and key scorers out, role players like Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin must step up. They'll need to slow Boston's pace and force turnovers to keep the game close.

Prediction: Celtics Cover, Under Delivers

Expect another Celtics victory, but not a blowout. With Indiana's depleted roster and Boston's methodical approach, a 7-10 point win seems likely. The UNDER 221.5 points presents solid value, given both teams' offensive struggles and slow paces. Boston should secure the series sweep and continue their push up the Eastern Conference standings.