The NBA betting slate features a clash between Boston and Indiana on Friday, with the host Celtics trying to win for fans supporting them with their cheers and their money.

(Note: follow us on Twitter for line updates and injuries news). The Celtics currently sports a record of 14-17, and have posted a corresponding betting slate of 10-18-3 ATS. The Pacers are 19-13 and 17-15 ATS. Betting totals have seen the Celtics post a 16-14-1 OVER/UNDER record this season, while the Pacers have gone 14-18 against the number.



View Indiana vs Boston Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
On the Sportsbook line for this matchup at Sportsbook, the Celtics sat as 3-point favorites. The total had been pegged earlier by the oddsmakers at Sportsbook at 181.5.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
This game pits the Celtics, currently No. 25 in the Odds Shark NBA Power Rankings, against the Pacers, who rate No. 9 in the most recent survey. Meanwhile, math and computer handicapping models run on this game predict a 96-91 victory for the Pacers.



How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Boston's No. 18-ranked offense (95.5 PPG) against a Pacers defense that ranks No. 2 at 90 PPG. The Celtics have averaged 46.1% from the field per game, more than the Pacers have managed so far this season (42.6% on average).

Defensively, the Pacers feature the league's No. 1-rated defense on the road, giving up 91.1 points per game. Boston, meanwhile, comes in at No. 16 in the league in scoring at home.

Last time out for Indiana, they were an 89-81 Sportsbook as they battled the Wizards at home. The Pacers failed to cover in the match as a 11-point favorite, while 170 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors. Paul George scored 29 points and added 14 rebounds for a double-double, leading Indiana over Washington, 89-81, on Wednesday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Boston was a 93-83 loser in its last match at home against the Grizzlies. They failed to cover the 2.5-point spread as underdogs, while the total score of 176 sent UNDER bettors to the payout window. Boston suffered a 93-83 loss against Memphis on Wednesday, getting 17 points from Paul Pierce in a losing effort at TD Garden.


Indiana Pacers Trends:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Milwaukee are 6-4
After playing Washington are 6-4
After a win are 7-3

Boston Celtics Trends:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Atlanta are 7-3
After playing Memphis are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5

A few Pacers at Celtics trends to consider:
Indiana is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Indiana's last 8 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Indiana's last 18 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston's last 8 games when playing Indiana
Boston is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games when playing Indiana


Next up:
Indiana home to Milwaukee, Saturday, January 5
Boston at Atlanta, Saturday, January 5