Boston Celtics vs. Indiana Pacers Prediction and Picks - December 26, 2025
The Boston Celtics (18-11) travel to Gainbridge Fieldhouse this Friday to wrap up a home-and-home set with the Indiana Pacers (6-24). These two teams just met on Monday in Boston, where the Celtics staged a massive 20-point second-half comeback to secure a 103-95 victory. While Boston is firmly in the hunt for a top seed in the East, Indiana is currently mired in a six-game losing streak and looking for any signs of life. With both teams missing their franchise stars in Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton, this matchup will once again test the depth of both rotations in a post-Christmas divisional clash.
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Boston Celtics Lean on Jaylen Brown’s Scoring
The Celtics enter this contest riding a three-game winning streak, largely fueled by the elite play of Jaylen Brown. Averaging 29.4 points per game this season, Brown was the catalyst in Monday's win over the Pacers, dropping 31 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. With Jayson Tatum sidelined for the season with an Achilles injury, the Celtics have transformed into a grittier, defensive-minded unit. Derrick White has become the clear secondary option, while the bench—featuring players like Payton Pritchard and Anfernee Simons—has stepped up in high-leverage moments.
Defensively, Boston has been stout, ranking 2nd in the league by allowing just 110.0 points per game. However, their 8-6 road record shows they are occasionally vulnerable away from home. For Boston to cover the spread on Friday, they must avoid another sluggish start like the one that saw them trail by 20 points in the first half of their last meeting.
Indiana Pacers Desperate to Snap Skid
It has been a season to forget in Indianapolis. The Pacers have lost 24 of their first 30 games and are struggling to find an identity without Tyrese Haliburton. The offense, which was historically potent last season, now ranks 30th in the league at just 109.2 points per game. Pascal Siakam remains the primary bright spot, averaging 23.5 points and 6.8 rebounds, but he has lacked consistent support. Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard have provided flashes of scoring, but the team's struggles from beyond the arc have made it difficult to close out games.
The Pacers’ injury report remains a major hurdle. In addition to Haliburton, the team is missing Obi Toppin, while Aaron Nesmith and Ben Sheppard have also been sidelined recently. Despite the 5-11 home record, Rick Carlisle’s squad showed they can push the Celtics to the brink; they’ll just need to find a way to maintain their energy for four quarters instead of falling apart in the final frame.
Expert Picks and Predictions
Spread Pick For Celtics vs Pacers
Boston Celtics -2
I am laying the small number with the Celtics here. While playing a team twice in four days can be tricky, the talent gap between these two rosters—even without Tatum—is significant. Boston’s bench proved it could change the game's energy on Monday, and Jaylen Brown is currently playing at an All-NBA level, having scored 30+ points in seven straight games. Indiana's 1-for-20 shooting from deep in the second half of their last game wasn't just bad luck; it’s a symptom of a team lacking spacing and playmaking. I expect the Celtics to start faster this time and win comfortably.
Total Pick
Under 224.5
I am going with the Under for this Friday night matchup. Their meeting on Monday saw a combined 198 points, falling well short of the total. Both teams are missing their primary offensive engines, and the Pacers have struggled to crack the 100-point mark consistently during this losing streak. Boston has shown they are willing to win "ugly" by relying on their defense and slowed-down half-court sets. Unless Indiana finds a sudden hot streak from downtown, this game is likely to stay in the low 210s.
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