**Pacers at Celtics**

–Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Indiana as a two-point road ‘chalk’ over Boston, with the total listed at 190. This game is scheduled to tipoff at 7:35 p.m. ET.

–Indiana (29-25 straight up, 30-21 against the spread) has strung together a modest two-game SU and ATS winning streak after topping Washington Wednesday as a 3 1/2-point road underdog, 99-93. The combined 192 points slithered past the 191-point closing total, helping the ‘over’ occur the third game in a row.

–The Pacers prevailed despite getting outscored in the paint, 54-36, and fast-break points, 20-10. Stephen Jackson paced the offensive attack with 26 points and six rebounds, while Peja Stojakovic contributed 19 and nine.

–Indiana maintains an 11-16 SU and 14-11 ATS road record, with the ‘under’ going 16-11. The Pacers, dropping those affairs by an average score of 94-91, conclude their four-game East Coast road trip with Sunday’s affair against Philadelphia.

–Indiana and Boston have alternated SU and ATS victories the previous six meetings, with the Celtics prevailing Dec. 14 as a 2 1/2-point home underdog, 85-71. The combined 156 points never seriously threatened the 187-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ improve to 8-1 the last nine games in this series.

–Boston (23-34 SU, 27-29 ATS) had won back-to-back games SU and four consecutive ATS before Wednesday’s loss to Miami as a 5 1/2-point home underdog, 103-96. The combined 199 points went ‘under’ the 204 1/2-point closing total, snapping two straight ‘over’ outings.

–The Celtics shot a solid 49 percent (33-of-67) from the field, but were outrebounded by the Heat, 42-36. Paul Pierce netted 38 points along with six rebounds, while Delonte West poured in 20.

–Boston claims a 16-13 SU and 14-14 ATS home record, topping opponents by an average score of 97-95. The Celtics wrap up a two-game homestand with this contest before going on a brief two-game road trip.

–Indiana forward Austin Croshere (concussion), forward Scot Pollard (plantar fascitis) and guard Anthony Johnson (virus) are ‘questionable’ versus the Celtics.

–Boston center Kendrick Perkins is ‘out’ a week due to a shoulder injury.

**Nuggets at Rockets**

–LVSC lists Houston as a 4 1/2-point home favorite over Denver, with the total set at 192. This contest is set to begin at 8:35 p.m. ET.

–Denver (31-27 SU, 28-30 ATS) improved to 3-1 SU and ATS its last four games after beating Detroit Wednesday as a 4 1/2-point home underdog, 98-87. The combined 185 points failed to eclipse the 188 1/2-point closing total.

–The Nuggets triumphed by limiting the Pistons to just 31 points after halftime, while also enjoying a sizeable points in the paint advantage, 60-24. Kenyon Martin led the charge with 28 points and 12 rebounds, while Carmelo Anthony pitched in with 25, seven and six assists.

–Denver is a modest 12-15 SU and 13-14 ATS away from home, with the ‘under’ going 16-11. The Nuggets, dropping those affairs by an average score of 100-96, follow this contest with a two-game homestand.

–Denver has won the past two games against Houston both SU and ATS after prevailing Jan. 8 as a 2 1/2-point road underdog, 92-90. The combined 182 points went ‘under’ the 192-point closing total, ending a 7-1 ‘over’ stretch.

–Houston (25-33 SU, 26-31 ATS) had strung together three consecutive SU victories before dropping its next two matchups SU and ATS. The Rockets are off Wednesday’s loss to Philadelphia as a 5 1/2-point home ‘chalk,’ 106-101. The combined 207 points eclipsed the 191 1/2-point closing total, helping the ‘over’ cash the second straight game. Houston is just 1-4 ATS its last five outings.

–The Rockets did maintain a healthy rebounding advantage, 48-39, but allowed the Sixers to shoot 52 percent (41-of-79) from the field. Tracy McGrady paced the offense with 25 points and seven rebounds, while center Yao Ming added 22 and 13.

–Houston has stumbled to a 10-18 SU and 6-22 ATS home record, with the ‘under’ going 18-8. The Rockets, dropping those affairs by an average score of 90-88, wrap up a four-game homestand with Sunday’s contest versus Portland.

–Denver guard Charles Smith was waived, while forward Eduardo Najera (knee) and guard Greg Buckner (knee) are ‘questionable’ versus the Rockets.

–Houston guard Jon Barry was waived, while forward Stromile Swift (ankle) is ‘questionable’ against the Nuggets.

**Pistons at Sonics**

–LVSC has Detroit as a seven-point road ‘chalk’ over Seattle, with the total set at 197. This contest is slated to start at 10:35 p.m. ET.


–Detroit (47-10 SU, 30-27 ATS) was riding a six-game SU winning streak (three consecutive ATS) before falling to Denver Wednesday as a 4 1/2-point road favorite, 98-87. The combined 185 points failed to eclipse the 188 1/2-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ cash the seventh consecutive contest.

–The Pistons were outrebounded, 59-35, while also being dominated by points in the paint, 60-24. Chauncey Billups had a solid effort with 27 points, six rebounds and eight assists, while Richard Hamilton netted 19.

–Detroit is a solid 21-8 SU and 16-13 ATS on the road, with the ‘under’ going 18-10. The Pistons, winning those matchups by an average score of 93-88, wrap up their three-game West Coast road trip with Saturday’s contest against the Lakers.

–Detroit is 3-1 both SU and ATS the last four encounters with Seattle, while the ‘under’ has gone 4-1 the previous five meetings. The Pistons toppled the Sonics Jan. 6 as an 11 1/2-point home ‘chalk,’ 97-85, while the combined 182 points went ‘under’ the 203-point closing total.

–Seattle (22-36 SU, 21-36 ATS) snapped its two-game SU losing skid compliments of Tuesday’s victory over New Orleans as a 1 1/2-point home favorite, 114-104. The combined 218 points eclipsed the 203-point closing total, helping the ‘over’ improve to 3-1 the last four games.

–The Sonics enjoyed advantages in rebounding, 41-36, and points in the paint, 54-22. Ray Allen accounted for 33 points and five rebounds, while Rashard Lewis had 25 and four.

–Seattle owns a 13-14 SU and 11-15 ATS home record, with the ‘over’ going a robust 21-5. The Sonics continue their five-game homestand after this matchup with games against Utah, Memphis and Minnesota.

–Seattle waived forward Bryon Russell and guard Rick Brunson, while forward Danny Fortson (knee) is expected to miss the rest of the season.