The Indiana Pacers are currently struggling, mired in a six-game losing streak. Their recent form has seen them win only two out of their last ten games, placing them at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Even playing at home hasn't improved their performance significantly, with a home win rate of just over 30%. Their defense is porous, allowing nearly 117 points per game, making it difficult for them to challenge opponents. In contrast, the Boston Celtics are enjoying a strong run, currently on a three-game winning streak. They've won eight of their last ten games, positioning them third in the Eastern Conference. They've demonstrated their dominance as a top team. The Celtics also maintain a winning record on the road, with balanced offensive and defensive statistics, showing strong competitiveness. The game opened with the Celtics as 7.5-point favorites, which has since increased to -8.5 points. The Celtics, despite no major offseason additions, have performed well, led by Brown, and currently hold the third position in the Eastern Conference. The Pacers, having been impacted by injuries and the loss of key players after the previous season's finals, are struggling. Considering the data analysis and calculations, the prediction favors the Boston Celtics -8.5.