Tamberlyn Richardson – Last Updated on November 30, 2022 9:16 am
Free NBA Pick: Pacers vs. Celtics NBA Odds
Looking for Indiana Pacers vs. Boston Celtics free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Pacers taking on the Celtics on Friday, February 26th, 2021at TD Garden. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Pacers Celtics matchup.
2021 NBA Handicapping
(15-15) Indiana Pacers vs. Boston Celtics (15-17)
Date: Friday, February 26th
Time: 7:30 PM EST
Venue: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
NBA Moneyline Odds: Pacers +135 | Celtics -145
NBA Betting Odds: Celtics -3
NBA Betting Total: 219
On Friday, February 26th the Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics meet for the third time this season. The teams split a same venue/opponent set earlier this season.
The Celtics hold the all-time record between the clubs with 100 in 181 meetings. Last season, the teams played twice with each time winning once.
Indiana Pacers
All-Star snubs are inevitable. They occur every season because there are often more than 12 players from each conference deserving of an appearance. Historically, the seven reserves selected by coaches typically come from the top-four seeds.
This year the East, in particular, didn’t follow that pattern as players from teams in the bottom of the bracket and off the ladder comprise five of the seven selections.
The most egregious snub was Domantas Sabonis (fourth seed) who is the first player in history to average a minimum of 20 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists not to make an All-Star team.
Specifically, Sabonis is averaging 21.5 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. Although Nicola Vucevic from the 12th place Magic is the bigger issue Jayson Tatum (9th-seed) was also picked ahead of him.
In comparison, Tatum is averaging 25.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. Adding insult to injury, the Celtics got have two reserves (Jaylen Brown).
TJ Warren (foot) and Caris LeVert (kidney) remain out indefinitely.
Boston Celtics
If there weren’t red flags prior to the Celtics’ three-game road trip to New Orleans, Dallas, and Atlanta, there certainly is now.
This trip represented an opportunity for Boston to sweep the Pelicans, Mavericks, and Hawks who all were struggling to meet season expectations.
Instead, it was the Celtics who got swept and have now lost their last six road games and eight of their last 11 games overall.
As noted above, it’s not all bad news in Bean Town as both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were selected by the coaches as All-Star reserves.
That they reside in the ninth spot and were picked ahead of Sabonis and fifth-seeded Raptor Fred VanVleet or two-way Heat players Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are sure to cause multiple debates.
They got the news on the same day they lost in Atlanta with yet another All-Star snub, Trae Young who was no doubt fueled by his exclusion.
While the Celtics have suffered their fair share of injuries this season Kemba Walker is back and played in two of the three games on the trip.
I’ve repeatedly pointed to the loss of Marcus Smart and how much his absence is being felt but the Celtics 7-14 run through the last 21 games signifies they need more than Smart to stop the bleeding.
Smart (calf) is day-to-day and Romeo Langford (wrist) is out indefinitely.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Celtics are 8-2 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
- The Celtics are 6-3-1 ATS in the last 10 head to head meetings
- Over/Under is 6-4 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
Free Indiana Pacers vs. Boston Celtics NBA Prediction:
The good news for the Celtics is they are finally back home in Boston and have two generational talents. The bad news is Kemba Walker continues to struggle and there are real concerns at the center position.
That should equate to another big night for Sabonis who, again, is motivated to prove a point.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Pacers +3
I’ll take a fired-up player on a mission every day over a team in free fall.
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