Ricky Dimon
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We have a nine-game slate in the NBA on Friday and it is headlined by a double-header on ESPN. It begins with this showdown between the Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics before the Los Angeles Lakers host the Portland Trail Blazers. Both contests are getting the same game parlay treatment they deserve. Let’s take a look at the best such option for Pacers-Celtics, and be sure to check out our full game preview for picks on the side and total.
Pacers -9.5 alternate spread (+360)
Over 219 (-110)
Domantas Sabonis Over 22.5 points (-108)
Part of the value in same game parlays, of course, is that all of its components can be correlated if you so choose. That is basically the plan here. We feel good about the Pacers’ chances to dominate Friday’s matchup, and in order to do so they will probably have to score a fair amount of points. Another big night for Domantas Sabonis would obviously work well with both an Indiana double-digit win and the over.
Pacers -9.5 alternate spread (+360)
The Pacers returned to action on Wednesday night against Golden State after having a week off due to Covid-19 issues. They lost by four points at home but should be in line for a better performance on Friday now that they have a game under their belt. Going on the road may be just what the doctor ordered, too. Indiana is 3-0 in its last three road games and it has not lost to anyone other than Brooklyn or Milwaukee on the road since Jan. 29. Needless to say, Boston certainly isn’t Brooklyn or Milwaukee. The Celtics are 3-7 in their last 10 overall and have lost three in a row to fall two games under .500 at 15-17. Head coach Brad Stevens appears to be on the hot seat and the players seem to be feeling the pressure, as well. Kemba Walker is not 100 percent and Marcus Smart is out, while Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been unable to shoulder the load to the extent that their team can win games. The Pacers are underdogs, but they should be able to extend Boston’s woes—and possibly with ease.
Over 219 (-110)
The Pacers-Warriors total hit 218 even though Indiana shot only 24.1 percent from beyond the arc and committed 19 turnovers against one of the league’s best defenses. The Celtics are below-average defensively but slightly above league average on the offensive end of the floor. Having Tatum, Brown, and Walker on the floor always creates the opportunity for a lot of points to be scored in a hurry. Walker may not be in peak form, but he is at least back from injury and he has started to play better over the past two weeks. This is one of the smallest totals of the day and these two teams should be able to combine for at least 220.
Domantas Sabonis Over 22.5 points (-108)
A strong scoring night by Sabonis obviously correlates nicely with both a big win for Indiana and the over. There is no reason why it can’t happen—along with the other two. Sabonis’ three most recent point totals are 25, 36, and 22, and he also scored 26 points on Feb. 11 against. He should be in line to go well into the 20s on Friday at the expense of a Boston defense that is weaker down low than it is on the perimeter. The Celtics are seventh in the NBA in opponents’ three-pointers made and ninth in opponents’ three-point shooting percentage. They are in the middle of the pack in points in the paint allowed. Just being mediocre on defense is not going to cut against a guy playing as well as Sabonis is right now.
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