Indiana Pacers game preview: All-Star break ends as Pacers host Boston Celtics

The Pacers return from the All-Star break on Thursday night

The Indiana Pacers will return to action after the All-Star break on Thursday night as they host the Eastern Conference leading Boston Celtics. Indiana beat Boston in late December.

This game will be Malcolm Brogdon's first game in Indianapolis since the Pacers traded him to the Celtics during the 2022 offseason. The deal was voted as one of the most surprising of the summer. Brogdon was one of the Pacers best players from 2019-2022.

"They have the best record in the NBA. Playing against a team like that, it's basically like an opportunity for us just to go out there and show the whole league that we're able to win against great teams," Pacers rookie guard Bennedict Mathurin said of the Celtics on Wednesday.

Viewing and Betting Information

Tip off time: 7 p.m. Eastern Time

Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana

Where to watch: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Indiana/Bally Sports+, NBC Sports Boston

Spread and Over/Under: The Pacers are heavy underdogs as they are +8.5 in the SI Sportsbook. The over/under for the game is 234.5.

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Pacers vs Celtics Injury Report

For the Pacers, guard Trevelin Queen and wing Kendall Brown are questionable as they may be in the G League as a part of their two-way contracts.

For the Celtics, JD Davison, Danilo Gallinari, and Mfiondu Kabengele are out.

Key Matchups

Aaron Nesmith vs Jayson Tatum: Aaron Nesmith, a former Celtic, has improved significantly since being dealt from Boston to Indiana in 2022. He is a key defender for the Pacers and will likely be tasked with slowing Jayson Tatum. It's difficult, but Nesmith has proven he can do it this season.

Tatum is fresh off of an All-Star game MVP performance and is averaging 30.6 points per game. He will be difficult to contain on Thursday night.

Tyrese Haliburton vs Marcus Smart: Tyrese Haliburton just scored 18 points in the All-Star game and is in the midst of his breakout season. The 22-year old is averaging more than 20 points and 10 assists per game this campaign, and his performance in Boston earlier this season helped the blue and gold pull off an upset.

Tonight, he will go against 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, which will make things more difficult. Smart is averaging 11.1 points and 7.1 assists per game this season, so Haliburton will have his hands full on both ends.

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