NBA · Final

Pacers Edge Celtics in Nail-Biting Finish

Boston Celtics24-15

Indiana Pacers9-31

Monday, January 12, 2026, 7:30 PM ET · Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Indiana Pacers 98, Boston Celtics 96, 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?

Indiana Pacers beat Boston Celtics 98-96 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on January 12, 2026.

Who was favored in Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers?

Boston Celtics were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -205 (about 67% implied). The underdog won.

In a thrilling contest at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Indiana Pacers narrowly defeated the Boston Celtics 98-96. This victory marks a significant moment for the Pacers, who have struggled throughout the season with a home record of 9-31, while the Celtics have maintained a strong away record of 24-15. The win also adds to the Pacers' recent momentum, as they entered the game on a two-game winning streak, having won their last two matches against the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets.

The Pacers' recent form shows a record of 2-8 over their last ten games, with an average of 115.4 points scored and 122.0 points allowed. Their last five games have seen them average 118.6 points scored and 117.8 points allowed, indicating a slight improvement in their offensive output. In contrast, the Celtics, despite their loss in this game, had been performing well with a record of 7-3 in their last ten outings, averaging 119.1 points scored and allowing 110.3 points per game. They entered the game on a one-game losing streak after losing to the San Antonio Spurs.

The matchup was particularly interesting given the historical context, as the Celtics led the series 2-1 before this game. In their previous encounters this season, the Pacers lost to the Celtics by scores of 122-140 and 95-103. Their last victory against Boston came on December 29, 2024, when they won 123-114. This fixture has consistently highlighted the competitive nature between the two teams, with the Celtics often emerging victorious.

In terms of injuries, the Pacers were dealing with the day-to-day status of Tyrese Haliburton due to an Achilles issue, while Johnny Furphy was ruled out with a knee injury. The Celtics also faced challenges, with Jayson Tatum listed as day-to-day due to a knee concern. These injuries could have impacted both teams' strategies and performances throughout the game.

The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had the Celtics favored by 5.5 points, with a total set at 227.5. The odds reflected the Celtics' stronger season record, but the Pacers' recent form and home-court advantage made for an intriguing matchup.

Conditions during the game were typical for an indoor basketball setting, with no adverse weather factors affecting play. Fans were treated to a close game that showcased both teams' strengths and weaknesses. The Pacers managed to pull ahead in the final moments, with key plays from Andrew Nembhard, who made a crucial 26-foot three-pointer, and Pascal Siakam, who scored a tip shot to seal the game.

Viewers should have noted the intense back-and-forth nature of the fourth quarter, with the score tightly contested. The scoring plays included a dunk by Jordan Walsh and a significant three-pointer from Derrick White, both of which kept the game exciting until the final whistle. The Pacers' ability to execute under pressure, especially with their recent struggles, highlighted their resilience.

Ultimately, this game served as a reminder of the unpredictability of the NBA, where even teams with a poor record can rise to the occasion and secure a hard-fought victory against a more favored opponent.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	BOS -5.5	227.5 o -110 / u -110	Boston Celtics -205 · Indiana Pacers +170

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Injury report

Tyrese HaliburtonDay-To-DayAchillesIndiana Pacers
Johnny FurphyOutKneeIndiana Pacers
Jayson TatumDay-To-DayKneeBoston Celtics

Leaders

PointsPascal Siakam21Indiana Pacers
AssistsAndrew Nembhard9Indiana Pacers
ReboundsPascal Siakam8Indiana Pacers
PointsPayton Pritchard23Boston Celtics
AssistsPayton Pritchard8Boston Celtics
ReboundsJordan Walsh9Boston Celtics

Recent form

Indiana Pacers

Last 10: 2-8Streak W2115.4 scored · 122 allowed per game1-5 at home

W123-99vs Miami HeatJan 11
W114-112at Charlotte HornetsJan 9
L116-120vs Cleveland CavaliersJan 7
L127-135at Orlando MagicJan 4
L113-123vs San Antonio SpursJan 3
L110-112vs Orlando MagicDec 31
L119-126at Houston RocketsDec 30
L116-142at Miami HeatDec 28
L122-140vs Boston CelticsDec 27
L94-111vs Milwaukee BucksDec 24

Boston Celtics

Last 10: 7-3Streak L1119.1 scored · 110.3 allowed per game4-1 away

L95-100vs San Antonio SpursJan 11
W125-117vs Toronto RaptorsJan 10
L110-114vs Denver NuggetsJan 8
W115-101vs Chicago BullsJan 6
W146-115at LA ClippersJan 4
W120-106at Sacramento KingsJan 2
W129-119at Utah JazzDec 31
L108-114at Portland Trail BlazersDec 28
W140-122at Indiana PacersDec 27
W103-95vs Indiana PacersDec 23

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	40-88	39-84
Field goal %	45	46
Three-pointers	9-35	16-37
Three-point %	26	43
Free throws	7-9	4-6
Free throw %	78	67
Rebounds	46	40
Offensive rebounds	10	5
Defensive rebounds	36	35
Assists	22	29
Steals	9	8
Blocks	1	3
Turnovers	12	11
Team turnovers	0	1
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	11	16
Fast-break points	4	6
Points in the paint	54	38
Fouls	7	7
Largest lead	9	13
Lead changes	11	11
Time in front	34	57

How the scoring went

2nd Quarter56-53Pascal Siakam makes 2-foot layup (Andrew Nembhard assists)
3rd Quarter56-56Jay Huff makes 26-foot three point jumper (Andrew Nembhard assists)
3rd Quarter56-58Andrew Nembhard makes driving layup (Pascal Siakam assists)
3rd Quarter56-61Jay Huff makes 25-foot three point jumper (Andrew Nembhard assists)
3rd Quarter58-61Neemias Queta makes 3-foot dunk (Payton Pritchard assists)
3rd Quarter58-63Andrew Nembhard makes 13-foot two point shot
3rd Quarter58-66Andrew Nembhard makes 27-foot three point jumper (Pascal Siakam assists)
3rd Quarter58-68Pascal Siakam makes two point shot (Ben Sheppard assists)
3rd Quarter60-68Hugo Gonzalez makes driving layup (Anfernee Simons assists)
3rd Quarter60-70Pascal Siakam makes 12-foot pullup jump shot
3rd Quarter60-73Andrew Nembhard makes 25-foot three pointer (Pascal Siakam assists)
3rd Quarter62-73Payton Pritchard makes 5-foot running pullup jump shot
3rd Quarter64-73Anfernee Simons makes driving layup
3rd Quarter67-73Payton Pritchard makes 27-foot three point jumper (Anfernee Simons assists)
3rd Quarter67-76Jarace Walker makes 26-foot three point jumper (T.J. McConnell assists)
3rd Quarter69-76Payton Pritchard makes driving layup
3rd Quarter71-76Payton Pritchard makes driving layup
3rd Quarter71-79Jarace Walker makes 26-foot three pointer (Micah Potter assists)
3rd Quarter73-79Payton Pritchard makes 2-foot two point shot
3rd Quarter75-79Jordan Walsh makes driving layup (Payton Pritchard assists)
3rd Quarter77-79Luka Garza makes 9-foot running jump shot (Payton Pritchard assists)
4th Quarter77-81T.J. McConnell makes 6-foot fade away jump shot (Aaron Nesmith assists)
4th Quarter78-81Sam Hauser makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter79-81Sam Hauser makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter79-83Quenton Jackson makes 15-foot pullup jump shot (T.J. McConnell assists)
4th Quarter81-83Neemias Queta makes 3-foot dunk (Derrick White assists)
4th Quarter81-86Quenton Jackson makes 27-foot three point jumper (T.J. McConnell assists)
4th Quarter81-88T.J. McConnell makes 16-foot pullup jump shot
4th Quarter81-89T.J. McConnell makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter83-89Neemias Queta makes 11-foot hook shot
4th Quarter85-89Jordan Walsh makes layup
4th Quarter85-91Pascal Siakam makes 9-foot turnaround jump shot
4th Quarter87-91Jordan Walsh makes 1-foot dunk (Payton Pritchard assists)
4th Quarter90-91Derrick White makes 29-foot three point jumper (Payton Pritchard assists)
4th Quarter90-94Andrew Nembhard makes 26-foot three pointer
4th Quarter91-94Neemias Queta makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter91-96Pascal Siakam makes tip shot
4th Quarter94-96Payton Pritchard makes 26-foot three point jumper (Jordan Walsh assists)
4th Quarter96-96Derrick White makes 6-foot two point shot
4th Quarter96-98Pascal Siakam makes 7-foot two point shot