Celtics vs. Pacers Preview, Picks, and Prediction for Friday December 26, 2025
Use Code WWWC On Friday, the Boston Celtics will visit the Indiana Pacers for an NBA Eastern Conference clash, and we have you ready to go with our Celtics vs. Pacersย prediction, odds, and preview. Tip-off from Indianapolis is at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Boston beat Indiana 103-95 on December 22, failing to cover the spread as 11-point favorites. The Pacers jumped out to a 35-26 first-quarter lead and were ahead for 81 percent of the game, but were outscored 60-34 in the second half, including 29-13 in the fourth. Boston is 7-3 straight-up and 2-8 against the spread in its last ten matchups with Indiana. The over went 8-2 in those games. If you want the Celtics vs. Pacers prediction, read on to get our topย NBA predictionsย and increase your bankroll!
Celtics look like legit EC contenders again
Boston (18-11 SU, 16-13 ATS, and 13-16 O/U) has won three straight and eight of its last ten games (7-3 ATS).
G Jaylen Brown leads Boston in scoring, averaging 29.4 points with 6.4 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game. A few other C's to watch on Friday against the Pacers are G Derrick White (18.3 PPG and 5.1 APG), G Payton Pritchard (16.8 PPG and 5.2 APG), and C Neemias Queta (10.0 PPG and 7.9 RPG). Boston scores 116.5 points per game (17th) on 47.0 percent shooting (15th), while their opponents average 110.5 points (2nd) on 44.5 percent shooting (3rd).
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The 2025-26 season has been a transition for the C's, but the team's recent hot streak suggests they'll continue to be contenders. Big-name, big-contract veterans Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porziลฤฃis are gone, but Anfernee Simons (19.3 PPG last season) was brough in via trade with Portland. Only two of the five starters from last season's 61-win squad will take the court, as Jayson Tatum is out for the season after tearing his Achilles tendon in the playoffs.
Boston Celtics Basketball Injury Report:
- No significant injuries to report.
Pacers are a competitive team ATS
Indiana (6-24 SU, 15-15 ATS, and 10-20 O/U) has lost six straight and eight of its previous ten games (4-6 ATS). The Pacers are led by F Pascal Siakam, who averages 23.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.9 dimes per game. They score 109.2 points per game (30th) on 42.9 percent shooting (30th), and hold their opponents to 117.7 points per game (22nd) on 47.6 percent shooting (20th).
Indiana went 50-32 last season, finishing fourth in the Eastern Conference standings. The Pacers reached the conference finals two seasons ago but made it a step further in 2024-25, falling in seven games to OKC. They completed several rousing comebacks along the way, as guard Tyrese Haliburton hit several shots that will go down in playoff history. Still, the result left a sour taste in Pacers fans' mouths, as the team finished one win away from their first NBA championship and lost Haliburton to an Achilles injury in Game 7 that will sideline him for all of 2025-26.
Hali isn't the only star the Pacers will play without this season, either. All-Star center Myles Turner signed with Milwaukee in free agency, leaving a gaping hole inside. Indy added Jay Huff and re-signed Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman, but the career backups have big shoes to fill. While replacing Haliburton is impossible, guards Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell can pick up the slack. That said, after a poor start, it's clear Indiana is a few steps behind last season's pace.
Indiana Pacers Basketball Injury Report:
- F Isaiah Jackson is questionable (concussion).
Celtics vs. Pacers Pick and Preview
Spread Pick for Celtics vs. Pacers
- Boston covers spread (4 Units)
Indiana is an impossible team to write off, but the well-rested Celtics have momentum and have covered in seven of their previous ten games. They dominate at the rim (2nd in rim shooting %), an area of the court where Indy struggles to defend (20th in opponent rim%). Boston ranks 5th in two-point percentage, and the Pacers rank 27th in two-point defense, as well. The visitors also take great care of the basketball (lowest TO% in NBA) and hit the boards hard (5th in offensive rebounding %).
Bet on the Celtics to sustain their momentum on Friday, covering the spread against Indiana.
Over/Under Pick for Celtics vs. Pacers
- Under (4 Units)
The Celtics play at the slowest tempo in the NBA, ranking 28th in offensive possession length and 27th in defensive possession length. While not dominant defensively, they rank 4th in rim defense, 4th in mid-range defense, and 2nd in opponent two-point percentage. Indiana ranks dead last in offensive efficiency rating, including 30th in eFG%, 30th in rim%, and 30th in 3PT%. This game isn't likely to be high-tempo or high-scoring.
The under is 9-5 in Boston's road games and 11-7 in Indiana's games against the East this season. That's how I recommend wagering on Friday's Celtics-Pacers game in Indianapolis.
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