The Boston Celtics are set to visit the Indiana Pacers in the middle of the NBA regular season. The game will take place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 7:30 PM. Fans can catch the action on NBCS.
The Celtics, led by head coach Joe Mazzulla, currently hold a 24-14 record. They are third in the Eastern Conference and second in the Atlantic Division. On the other side, the Pacers, coached by Rick Carlisle, have an 8-31 record. They are ranked 15th in the Eastern Conference and are last in the Central Division.
Boston Celtics Team Preview
The Boston Celtics are coming off a recent loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Derrick White led the team with 29 points and nine rebounds. Jaylen Brown also played a key role, adding 27 points and eight rebounds.
Jaylen Brown is having a strong season, averaging 29.5 points per game. However, he is doubtful for the next game due to back spasms. Derrick White has been consistent, contributing 18.6 points per game.
The Celtics rank first in three-pointers made per game with 15.9. They are strong defensively, allowing only 110.4 points per game, which is second in the league. The team struggles with free throw attempts, ranking last in that category.
Indiana Pacers Team Preview
The Indiana Pacers are coming off a strong win against the Miami Heat, scoring 123 points. Andrew Nembhard was a standout player with 29 points and 9 assists. Jarace Walker also contributed with 13 points and 9 rebounds.
Pacers have struggled offensively this season, with an average of 111.2 points per game. They rank 30th in field goal percentage at 44.3 percent. Despite this, Pascal Siakam has been a key player, averaging 23.6 points per game.
The team faces challenges with injuries, including Tyrese Haliburton out for the season. Bennedict Mathurin and Obi Toppin are also sidelined. Andrew Nembhard is questionable with back soreness, impacting the team’s depth.
Betting Prediction
The Celtics have a strong defense, allowing only 110.4 points per game. They rank second in the league for points allowed. This will make it hard for the Pacers, who score 111.2 points per game.
Boston is good at shooting threes, making 15.9 per game, which is the best in the league. The Pacers struggle to defend against threes, even though they allow the fewest per game. This gives Boston an advantage in scoring from beyond the arc.
The Celtics also have a solid effective field goal percentage of 56.1, ranking them sixth. In contrast, the Pacers rank last with 51.2 in the same category. This means Boston is likely to have better shooting efficiency in the game.
- Pick: Celtics -5.5
