A primetime matchup features the Boston Celtics traveling to play the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Eastern Conference finals on Saturday. Indiana badly needs a win to keep the series within reach after falling down 0-2. Thus far in the 2024 NBA playoffs, the Pacers are 6-0 at home. Meanwhile, Boston has gone 4-0 as the visitor in the postseason. In Game 2, Boston cruised to a 126-110 victory. Kristaps Porzingis (calf) is out for Boston. Tyrese Haliburton, officially listed as questionable for Indiana, will reportedly miss this matchup.
Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana. Boston is the 7.5-point favorite in the latest Celtics vs. Pacers odds. The over/under for total points is 221.5. Before making any Pacers vs. Celtics picks, be sure to check out what legendary SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall has to say.
Marshall, who was synonymous with The Gold Sheet, the famed sports betting newsletter, has seen a vast array of editorial work featured in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the New York Post and many other outlets. He has won various handicapping titles and also is working on several book projects. Marshall has crushed his NBA picks this season for SportsLine members, entering this matchup on a 193-142 run that has returned more than $3,700 for $100 players. Anybody following is way up.
Now, he has set his sights on Pacers vs. Celtics and just locked in his picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are the NBA odds and betting lines for Celtics vs. Pacers:
- Pacers vs. Celtics spread: Boston -7.5
- Pacers vs. Celtics over/under: 221.5 points
- Pacers vs. Celtics money line: Boston -286, Indiana +234
- BOS: 18-10 ATS when spread is between -5.5 and -8.5 this season
- IND: 8-3-1 ATS as home underdog this season
- Pacers vs. Celtics picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Celtics can cover
Forward Jayson Tatum scores and creates offense effortlessly. Tatum can torch defenders in the mid-range area or get into the paint to score around the basket. The five-time All-Star also has sound court vision as a passer. In the 2024 NBA playoffs, Tatum leads the team in points (25.2), rebounds (10.2) and assists (5.6). In Game 1, he finished with 36 points, 12 rebounds and four assists.
Guard Jrue Holiday has been stepping up on both sides of the floor. Holiday has such a high basketball IQ to make different plays in multiple areas. The UCLA product can also be an impactful defender. The 33-year-old logs 12.3 points, 4.9 assists and 1.2 steals per contest. In his last outing, Holiday totaled a double-double of 15 points and 10 assists. See which team to pick here.
Why the Pacers can cover
With Haliburton expected to sit, Indiana will need some others to step up. Forward Obi Toppin provides the Pacers with an energetic and explosive force off the bench. Toppin will fly high for dunks and alley-oops and loves to get out in transition. The Dayton product will hit perimeter jumpers as well. In the 2024 NBA playoffs, Toppin averages 11.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. In Game 1, he had 15 points and four rebounds.
Guard Andrew Nembhard has been another capable ball handler. Nembhard is a confident playmaker who owns a nice jumper to keep defenders on their toes. The Gonzaga product averages 13.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and five assists per game. He's logged at least 12 points and five assists in two straight outings. In Game 2, Nembhard notched 16 points and five assists. See which team to pick here.
How to make Pacers vs. Celtics picks
Marshall is going Over on the point total. He's discovered a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the point spread. He's only sharing what it is, and which side to back, at SportsLine.
So who wins Celtics vs. Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals, and which side of the spread is a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Pacers vs. Celtics spread to jump on, all from the expert who has returned more than $3,700 on his NBA picks, and find out.
