The Indiana Pacers host the Boston Celtics in a lopsided Eastern Conference matchup at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Boston enters as one of the league’s elite teams and a heavy favorite, while Indiana continues to struggle significantly, sitting near the bottom of the league standings. This game is expected to be one-sided, with Boston’s depth, defensive versatility, and offensive firepower overwhelming Indiana’s depleted roster.
Game Details
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT)
Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
TV Broadcast: Bally Sports Indiana, NBC Sports Boston
Streaming: NBA League Pass, Fubo, DirecTV Stream
Injury Report
Indiana Pacers:
Tyrese Haliburton (PG) – Out (right hamstring strain, week-to-week)
Bennedict Mathurin (SG/SF) – Out (right shoulder surgery recovery, out until March)
Andrew Nembhard (PG/SG) – Questionable (left ankle sprain)
Aaron Nesmith (SF) – Questionable (right ankle soreness)
Isaiah Jackson (PF/C) – Out (right Achilles tear, season-ending)
James Wiseman (C) – Out (left ankle sprain, 2–4 weeks)
Boston Celtics:
Kristaps Porziņģis (PF/C) – Questionable (right knee soreness)
Al Horford (PF/C) – Questionable (rest/maintenance)
Jayson Tatum (SF/PF) – Probable (rest, played previous night)
No major long-term absences; core rotation expected to be available.
Key Player Matchups
Donovan Mitchell / Derrick White / Jrue Holiday (BOS) vs. Indiana backcourt
Boston’s elite perimeter defense (top-3 in defensive rating) should limit Indiana’s already struggling offense without Haliburton and Nembhard.
Jayson Tatum & Jaylen Brown vs. Indiana wings
Tatum and Brown will face limited resistance from a depleted Pacers wing rotation. Expect heavy usage and high shot volume.
Kristaps Porziņģis / Al Horford vs. Myles Turner / Isaiah Jackson
Turner is Indiana’s only consistent interior presence. Boston’s size and spacing advantage will be overwhelming if Porziņģis plays.
Bench impact: Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and Luke Kornet provide elite shooting and depth for Boston; Indiana relies heavily on Obi Toppin and T.J. McConnell for energy.
Boston ranks top-3 in net rating and defensive efficiency. Indiana is bottom-5 in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
Recent Team Forms (Last 5 Games)
Indiana Pacers (1-4):
Jan 19: L 108-122 @ Milwaukee
Jan 17: L 99-114 vs. Orlando
Jan 15: L 104-118 @ Toronto
Jan 13: W 112-105 vs. Washington
Jan 11: L 97-115 @ Chicago
Averaging 104 PPG allowed in losses; offense has dropped sharply without Haliburton.
Boston Celtics (4-1):
Jan 19: W 119-108 @ Detroit
Jan 17: W 124-113 vs. Miami
Jan 15: W 118-102 @ Washington
Jan 13: L 110-117 @ Cleveland
Jan 11: W 126-114 vs. Atlanta
Averaging 121 PPG over last 5; defense remains elite (under 108 PPG allowed in wins).
Series History
Boston has dominated recent meetings.
Last 5 meetings: Boston 4-1
Dec 10, 2025: Boston 128-109 @ Indiana
Nov 8, 2025: Boston 122-104 vs. Indiana
Average margin in Boston wins: +16 points
Over has hit in 4 of last 5 meetings; games average 228.4 total points.
Betting Trends
Boston is 15-5 ATS as double-digit favorites this season. 11-4 ATS in games as -10 or larger favorites
Overs hit in 6 of Boston’s last 8 road games Indiana is 4-16 ATS as home underdogs of 10+ points Boston covers 65% when favored by 12+ points
Game Odds
Indiana Pacers 226.5
Boston Celtics – 10.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, January 20, 2026
