The Boston Celtics are eyeing a fourth straight win when they visit the Indiana Pacers on December 26 — the same team they just beat to get on their current three-game win streak.
My Celtics vs Pacers prediction and free NBA picks have Boston taking advantage of a depleted Indiana side.
Celtics vs Pacers prediction
Celtics vs Pacers best bet: Celtics -8.5 (-110)
The Indiana Pacers are really putting head coach Rick Carlisle through some agony before delivering the 1,000th win of his illustrious career.
Their latest chance to send Carlisle to the grand club was a disappointing 111-94 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, marking the third time they’ve failed to crack the 100-point plateau during this slide.
A team that was just a win from an NBA title just months ago, Indiana is now last in the NBA in scoring (109.2), field-goal percentage (42.9%), and 3-point percentage (32.1%).
Of course, injuries have been the name of the game for the Pacers this year, and Friday is no exception.
Forward Isaiah Jackson (concussion) and G Ben Sheppard (calf) are out, joining a cast of players sidelined for Indiana that includes Aaron Nesmith (knee), forward Obi Toppin (foot), and guard Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles), who won’t suit up at all this season.
The Boston Celtics moved to a season-best seven games over .500, capped by a 103-95 win against these same Pacers on December 22. They’ve won both head-to-head meetings this season.
The Celtics have just two losses in their last 10 games, and they’re getting by with a gritty defense, which currently ranks second in the NBA in scoring defense and holds teams to 45.2% shooting from the field.
That’s more than helped the offense, which remains a work in progress without all-star Jayson Tatum (Achilles). The Celtics are scoring 116 points per game, which ranks 17th, while they sit in the top half of the league in both field goal percentage (47.0%) and 3-point shooting (36.2%).
With the way the C’s are currently defending and the lack of offensive firepower for the Pacers, this should be an easy one for the visitors.
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Celtics vs Pacers same-game parlay
Pascal Siakam is one of the few Pacers who can create offense and doesn't rely entirely on point guards to keep him well-fed. He’s averaging 22.7 points in his last 10, and he’s scored at least 23 points six times.
Jaylen Brown just shredded the Pacers for 31 points in the last game, and he’s got a high but gettable line of 29.5 points tonight.
Brown has scored at least 30 points in all seven December games, averaging 32.4 points on 52% shooting from the field and 41.7% from 3-point range.
Celtics vs Pacers SGP
- Celtics -8.5
- Jaylen Brown Over 29.5 points
- Pascal Siakam Over 23.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: C's get degrees
Payton Pritchard has been lighting it up in the assist column lately, dropping at least five dimes in seven of the last eight, missing the Over by just one dime.
Derrick White has been scorching from 3-point range in December, hitting at a deft 41.3% clip, while making at least four triples in seven of his last nine games.
Celtics vs Pacers SGP
- Celtics -8.5
- Jaylen Brown Over 29.5 points
- Pascal Siakam Over 23.5 points
- Payton Pritchard Over 4.5 assists
- Derrick White Over 3.5 threes
Celtics vs Pacers odds
- Spread: Celtics -8.5 (-105) | Pacers +8.5 (-115)
- Moneyline: Celtics -350 | Pacers +275
- Over/Under: Celtics 221.5 | Pacers 221.5
Celtics vs Pacers betting trend to know
Boston has won seven of the last 10 matchups between these two, and has gone 7-3-0 against the spread. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Pacers.
How to watch Celtics vs Pacers
| Location | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN |
| Date | Friday, December 26, 2025 |
| Tip-off | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBCS-Boston, FDSN-Indiana |
Celtics vs Pacers latest injuries
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