Celtics Defeat Pacers 140-122 in Indiana Showdown
Friday, December 26, 2025, 7:00 PM ET · Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Boston Celtics 140, Indiana Pacers 122, final. Today's NBA pick is already sealed, as a hash, before kickoff.
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Quick answers
Who won Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers?
Boston Celtics beat Indiana Pacers 140-122 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on December 26, 2025.
Who was favored in Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers?
Boston Celtics were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -340 (about 77% implied). The favorite won.
The Boston Celtics secured a convincing 140-122 victory over the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, extending their dominance in the season series to 3-0. This matchup was particularly noteworthy as it showcased the contrasting fortunes of both teams, with Boston boasting a solid away record of 19-11 compared to Indiana's struggling home record of 6-25.
The Celtics entered the game on a three-game winning streak, having won eight of their last ten games, with an impressive scoring average of 118.3 points per game during that stretch. Their recent form included victories against the Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, and Miami Heat. In contrast, the Pacers were in a difficult position, having lost six consecutive games and only managing to win two of their last ten, with an average of 108.0 points scored per game.
In terms of home versus away performance, the Pacers had a home record of 1-5 in their last six games, while the Celtics were performing well on the road, with a 4-1 record in their last five away games. This disparity in form was evident in the game, as the Celtics controlled the pace and rhythm from the outset.
The two teams had met earlier in the season, with the Celtics winning the previous encounter 103-95 just a few days prior. Historically, the Celtics have now won three straight games against the Pacers this season, leading the series 2-0 prior to this matchup.
In terms of injuries, the Pacers were without Johnny Furphy, who was out due to a knee issue, while Tyrese Haliburton was listed as day-to-day with an Achilles injury. The Celtics faced a similar situation with Jayson Tatum, who was also day-to-day due to a knee problem. The absence of key players on both sides added an element of uncertainty to the game.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Celtics favored by 8.5 points, with a total set at 222.5. The odds reflected the Celtics' strong performance and the Pacers' struggles. The Celtics were priced at -340 on the moneyline, while the Pacers were at +270.
The game conditions were typical for an indoor basketball setting, with no significant external factors affecting play. Fans were treated to a high-scoring affair, with both teams showcasing their offensive capabilities. The Celtics' ability to find open shots and convert them was a key factor in their success.
As the game progressed, the Celtics maintained a steady lead, with significant contributions from their roster. The final quarter saw the Pacers attempt to close the gap, but the Celtics' lead proved insurmountable. Notable scoring plays included a 25-foot three-point jumper by Johnny Furphy, which highlighted the Pacers' attempts to rally late in the game.
In conclusion, the Celtics' victory over the Pacers not only solidified their position in the standings but also demonstrated the challenges facing Indiana as they continue to struggle through the season. The Celtics will look to build on this momentum, while the Pacers will need to regroup and address their ongoing issues as they head into their next matchup.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | BOS -8.5 | 222.5 o -110 / u -110 | Boston Celtics -340 · Indiana Pacers +270 |
Injury report
- Tyrese HaliburtonDay-To-DayAchillesIndiana Pacers
- Johnny FurphyOutKneeIndiana Pacers
- Jayson TatumDay-To-DayKneeBoston Celtics
Leaders
- PointsAndrew Nembhard18Indiana Pacers
- AssistsAndrew Nembhard8Indiana Pacers
- ReboundsPascal Siakam6Indiana Pacers
- PointsJaylen Brown30Boston Celtics
- AssistsDerrick White6Boston Celtics
- ReboundsPayton Pritchard9Boston Celtics
Recent form
Indiana Pacers
Last 10: 2-8Streak L6108 scored · 115.9 allowed per game1-5 at home
- L94-111vs Milwaukee BucksDec 24
- L95-103at Boston CelticsDec 23
- L109-128at New Orleans PelicansDec 21
- L113-114vs New York KnicksDec 19
- L89-108vs Washington WizardsDec 14
- L105-115at Philadelphia 76ersDec 13
- W116-105vs Sacramento KingsDec 9
- W120-105at Chicago BullsDec 6
- L120-135vs Denver NuggetsDec 4
- L119-135vs Cleveland CavaliersDec 2
Boston Celtics
Last 10: 8-2Streak W3118.3 scored · 108.6 allowed per game4-1 away
- W103-95vs Indiana PacersDec 23
- W112-96at Toronto RaptorsDec 21
- W129-116vs Miami HeatDec 20
- L105-112vs Detroit PistonsDec 16
- L101-116at Milwaukee BucksDec 12
- W121-113at Toronto RaptorsDec 7
- W126-105vs Los Angeles LakersDec 6
- W146-101at Washington WizardsDec 5
- W123-117vs New York KnicksDec 3
- W117-115at Cleveland CavaliersNov 30
Standings
| Team | Games behind | Lost | Streak | Win % | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | - | 26 | W2 | .683 | 56 |
| New York | 3 | 29 | L1 | .646 | 53 |
| Toronto | 10 | 36 | W1 | .561 | 46 |
| Philadelphia | 11 | 37 | W2 | .549 | 45 |
| Brooklyn | 36 | 62 | L3 | .244 | 20 |
| Detroit | - | 22 | W3 | .732 | 60 |
| Cleveland | 8 | 30 | W1 | .634 | 52 |
| Milwaukee | 28 | 50 | L1 | .390 | 32 |
| Chicago | 29 | 51 | L2 | .378 | 31 |
| Indiana | 41 | 63 | L2 | .232 | 19 |
Box score
| Stat | Boston Celtics | Indiana Pacers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 47-83 | 44-89 |
| Field goal % | 57 | 49 |
| Three-pointers | 20-39 | 18-44 |
| Three-point % | 51 | 41 |
| Free throws | 26-34 | 16-20 |
| Free throw % | 76 | 80 |
| Rebounds | 43 | 35 |
| Offensive rebounds | 12 | 11 |
| Defensive rebounds | 31 | 24 |
| Assists | 26 | 29 |
| Steals | 8 | 6 |
| Blocks | 3 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 14 |
| Team turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 2 | 2 |
| Technical fouls, total | 2 | 2 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 14 | 22 |
| Fast-break points | 14 | 14 |
| Points in the paint | 38 | 42 |
| Fouls | 22 | 28 |
| Largest lead | 28 | 15 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 65 | 34 |
How the scoring went
- 3rd Quarter104-87Ethan Thompson makes 24-foot three point jumper (T.J. McConnell assists)
- 3rd Quarter105-87Sam Hauser makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter106-87Sam Hauser makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter109-87Sam Hauser makes 24-foot running jump shot (Payton Pritchard assists)
- 3rd Quarter111-87Payton Pritchard makes 3-foot two point shot
- 3rd Quarter111-89T.J. McConnell makes two point shot (Ethan Thompson assists)
- 3rd Quarter111-91T.J. McConnell makes two point shot
- 4th Quarter111-94Jarace Walker makes 25-foot three point jumper (Ethan Thompson assists)
- 4th Quarter113-94Derrick White makes 10-foot two point shot
- 4th Quarter116-94Anfernee Simons makes 26-foot three point jumper (Derrick White assists)
- 4th Quarter117-94Derrick White makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter118-94Derrick White makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter118-96Pascal Siakam makes tip shot
- 4th Quarter118-97Quenton Jackson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter118-98Quenton Jackson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter120-98Derrick White makes 8-foot fade away jump shot (Hugo Gonzalez assists)
- 4th Quarter121-98Payton Pritchard makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter121-99Pascal Siakam makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter122-99Anfernee Simons makes free throw 1 of 3
- 4th Quarter123-99Anfernee Simons makes free throw 3 of 3
- 4th Quarter123-101Kam Jones makes 13-foot driving floating jump shot
- 4th Quarter126-101Jaylen Brown makes 27-foot three pointer
- 4th Quarter129-101Jaylen Brown makes 31-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 4th Quarter129-104Johnny Furphy makes 22-foot three point jumper (Ethan Thompson assists)
- 4th Quarter129-107Taelon Peter makes 26-foot three point jumper (Kam Jones assists)
- 4th Quarter129-109Micah Potter makes layup (Ethan Thompson assists)
- 4th Quarter131-109Payton Pritchard makes 9-foot pullup jump shot
- 4th Quarter131-110Johnny Furphy makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter133-110Luka Garza makes tip shot
- 4th Quarter133-113Micah Potter makes 25-foot three point jumper (Kam Jones assists)
- 4th Quarter133-115Kam Jones makes driving layup
- 4th Quarter136-115Payton Pritchard makes 25-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 4th Quarter136-117Johnny Furphy makes 2-foot dunk (Ethan Thompson assists)
- 4th Quarter137-117Payton Pritchard makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter138-117Payton Pritchard makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter138-120Johnny Furphy makes 25-foot three point jumper (Ethan Thompson assists)
- 4th Quarter139-120Payton Pritchard makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter140-120Payton Pritchard makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter140-121Micah Potter makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter140-122Micah Potter makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Indiana Pacers, below favours Boston Celtics.
Venue
- Gainbridge FieldhouseIndianapolis, IN
- Attendance17004
- OfficialsBill Kennedy, Brandon Adair, Mousa Dagher
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