Pacers vs. Celtics Odds & Betting Predictions - January 31, 2024

... road dog great ft shooting team Overall: 182-118-5,61% (ROI:17%) Season:8-5-0,62% (ROI:18%)

The Celtics host the Pacers tonight and this is a great matchup for Jaylen Brown due to the defensive scheme the Pacers run. The Pacers allow their opponents to attack them on the interior by forcing them off the 3 point line, a matador defense as Walt Frazier would say. This aligns with Brown's shot profile. Brown is great at attacking the rim off the bounce, and even with Pascal Siakam replacing Obi Toppin in the starting lineup this Pacers’ defense is not one to write home about. Since the Siakam trade, the Pacers are still surrendering threes at the lowest frequency in the league while allowing Midrange shots at one of the highest, per Cleaning the Glass. Brown can exploit this and has this season. Brown has exceeded this PR line in 6/7 against Indiana dating back to last year with 45, 35, 39, and 23 this season. He is able to contribute as both a scoring threat and as a rebounder in what should be an uptempo game with Tyrese Haliburton back in the fold. I like him to exceed 28.5 Points + Rebounds

The Pacers head to Boston and will take on the Celtics tonight. The Pacers are returning Tyrese Haliburton who will have his minutes managed but should immediately bolster the offense. One player that helped carry the Pacers in his absence was the newly acquired Pascal Siakam. Siakam is averaging 21.3 Points, 7.7 Rebounds, and 5.7 assists in his six games with the Pacers (albeit just one game with Haliburton). Siakam’s presence should be helpful here against Boston who has one of the best defenses in the NBA, but are lead by two dominant point of attack wing defenders in Derrick White and Jrue Holiday. I expect that Siakam may have the best time getting into the paint to score and facilitate despite the presence of Kristaps Porzingis. He has exceeded this line in 67% of games this season, and considering how suppressed his Usage was in Toronto this season it’s more indicative of playing alongside a high usage guard such as Haliburton.