NBA picks: Celtics vs. Pacers prediction, odds, over/under, spread, injury report for Saturday, Jan. 6

Bruce Brown is out for the Pacers, while Isaiah Jackson and Andrew Nembhard are listed as questionable. Everyone else on both sides is good to go. The Celtics have become 7-point favorites, and the total is 249. I like Pacers +7 and I’ll take the over on the total, even on the second night of a back-to-back set for both teams.

The Boston Celtics (27-7) will be the latest team to attempt to halt the Indiana Pacers (20-14) when the two sides meet up Saturday evening. Both teams are on the second night of a back-to-back set, with Boston winning and Indiana extending its winning run to six games Friday. These teams have met twice before this season, with the Celtics winning in Boston and the Pacers winning in Indiana.

There won’t be an official injury report for either team until 2 p.m. ET, but the statuses of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Haliburton will be worth monitoring on the second night of a back-to-back set. Al Horford didn’t play Friday, so he’s set to suit up for this game.

The Celtics are 6-point favorites according to DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total coming in at 247.5. Boston is -218 on the moneyline while Indiana is +180.

Celtics vs. Pacers, 7 p.m. ET

Pick ATS: Pacers +6

Boston remains unbeaten at home this season, but is 10-7 on the road. The Celtics are 17-15-2 ATS on the year, and that mark drops to 6-9-2 ATS on the road. The Pacers have thrived in the home underdog role, going 4-1 against the number. They are 11-7 ATS overall as the home team.

The Celtics blasted the Pacers by 51 points in the first meeting in Boston, and Indiana responded with a 10-point victory at home during the In-Season Tournament knockout stage. As long as everyone suits up for both teams, I like the Pacers to keep up their hot play and cover in this game.

Over/Under: Over 247.5

The first meeting went well over this number, while the second fell under. The Pacers are the most over-friendly team in the league, going 23-10-2 to the over on the season with a 14-4 mark on the over as the home team. Despite high totals being set, the Pacers have gone over their totals in three of the last four games.

The Celtics have hit the over in seven of their last nine games, and they are 10-7 to the over as the road team this season. Unless the big names sit for both sides, I like the over to cash tonight.