PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* SURE SHOT >> 15-9 Overall L5 Days! 7-2 L9 NBA!
(NBA) Boston vs. Indiana,
11/12/2016 2:00 PM, Score: 105 - 99
Point Spread: 2.50 | -107.00 Boston (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: 2.50 | -107.00 Boston (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The 4-5 Indiana Pacers will host the Boston Celtics on Saturday night, coming off a 109-105 OT loss at Philadelphia last night, as the 76ers won their first game of the new season (had opened 0-7). Boston played last night as well but in contrast to Indiana, the Celtics snapped a three-game losing streak by trouncing the Knicks 115-87 to even their record at 4-4 on the season. "That's the way we should play," head coach Brad Stevens said after the win. "I thought our whole team played better, but we still have work to do."
Boston: Brad Stevens moved Kelly Olynyk and Marcus Smart into the lineup with Tyler Zeller and Jaylen Brown coming off the bench. PG Isaiah Thomas led the way with 29 points and like last season, he leads Boston in scoring (26.1 PPG), with backcourt partner Avery Bradley (19.1 & 8.1) again being Boston's second-best scoring option. SF Crowder was Boston's top scoring threat in the frontcourt last season and he is the team's third-best scorer again this season (13.5 & 6.2) but he's played just three games with a sprained ankle. Boston ranks 5th (108.6 PPG) in scoring but 27th in points allowed (109.5 PPG). A significant cause of Boston's defensive problems has been the absence of center Al Horford (12.0 & 5.3 in just three games), who missed his fifth straight game Friday due to a concussion but is champing at the bit to return to action, which could happen Saturday or Monday in New Orleans.
Indiana: The Pacers fell to 0-5 SU & ATS on the road with last night's loss but here at home, the Pacers are 4-0 SU at home, averaging 119.5 PPG. Like Boston, Indiana's offense has done well early on (109.4 PPG ranks 3rd) but the team's defense is a huge concern, allowing 112.8 PPG (29th), as the Pacers allow an NBA-worst 47.0% on opponents FGs. Paul George (21.9-6.7-3.2) is the star but five others score in double digits, averaging between 10.1 and 13.0 PPG. The Pacers also made a lineup change last night, inserting C.J. Miles (he's the team's 2nd-best scorer at 15.0 PPG) into the lineup and moved Monta Ellis to the second unit.
The pick: Boston has Horford listed as questionable but he may play, which would be a huge boost. Yes, the Pacers are 4-0 at home but they are just 2-2 ATS and one can't ignore that Boston has thrived when playing the second of consecutive games, covering 70% of the past 51 in that role. Boston is a 10* play.
Boston: Brad Stevens moved Kelly Olynyk and Marcus Smart into the lineup with Tyler Zeller and Jaylen Brown coming off the bench. PG Isaiah Thomas led the way with 29 points and like last season, he leads Boston in scoring (26.1 PPG), with backcourt partner Avery Bradley (19.1 & 8.1) again being Boston's second-best scoring option. SF Crowder was Boston's top scoring threat in the frontcourt last season and he is the team's third-best scorer again this season (13.5 & 6.2) but he's played just three games with a sprained ankle. Boston ranks 5th (108.6 PPG) in scoring but 27th in points allowed (109.5 PPG). A significant cause of Boston's defensive problems has been the absence of center Al Horford (12.0 & 5.3 in just three games), who missed his fifth straight game Friday due to a concussion but is champing at the bit to return to action, which could happen Saturday or Monday in New Orleans.
Indiana: The Pacers fell to 0-5 SU & ATS on the road with last night's loss but here at home, the Pacers are 4-0 SU at home, averaging 119.5 PPG. Like Boston, Indiana's offense has done well early on (109.4 PPG ranks 3rd) but the team's defense is a huge concern, allowing 112.8 PPG (29th), as the Pacers allow an NBA-worst 47.0% on opponents FGs. Paul George (21.9-6.7-3.2) is the star but five others score in double digits, averaging between 10.1 and 13.0 PPG. The Pacers also made a lineup change last night, inserting C.J. Miles (he's the team's 2nd-best scorer at 15.0 PPG) into the lineup and moved Monta Ellis to the second unit.
The pick: Boston has Horford listed as questionable but he may play, which would be a huge boost. Yes, the Pacers are 4-0 at home but they are just 2-2 ATS and one can't ignore that Boston has thrived when playing the second of consecutive games, covering 70% of the past 51 in that role. Boston is a 10* play.
