NBA Betting: Celtics Stay Unbeaten by Romping over Pacers

Paul Pierce had a double-double in the Celtics’ victory. (AI Wire photo)

Forget the Patriots’ chase for perfection. The Celtics seem intent on making a run for 82-0 in the NBA.

Boston improved to 6-0 with a dominating 101-86 victory over the Pacers in Indianapolis on Tuesday night as Beantown bested the Hoosier state on the hardwood not the gridiron. Paul Pierce led the rout with 31 points, including 14 of 14 free throws, as the Celtics easily covered against the point spread, which favored them by 7.5. Pierce also had 11 rebounds.

Kevin Garnett put up his sixth straight double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. The Celtics, the NBA’s only unbeaten team, haven’t had such a strong beginning to a season since they went 6-0 in 1987-88 and they have their sights set on the franchise mark of 14-0 that was set in the 1957-58 season.

Although the Pacers were ultimately blown out, they did have one moral victory. They led Boston by six points multiple times in the opening quarter and that deficit is the largest the Celtics have faced this year.

The betting total fell under 199 points.

In other early NBA action on Tuesday:

Orlando 103, Seattle 76: Rashard Lewis haunted his old team, scoring 22 points as the Magic kept the visiting SuperSonics winless at 0-8. Orlando (6-2) covered the 10.5-point spread.

Charlotte 91, Miami 76: The Bobcats’ explosive tandem of Gerald Wallace and Jason Richardson combined for 37 points to power a home win. Charlotte was favored by 1.5.

Memphis 105, Houston 99: Tracy McGrady scored 41, but it wasn’t enough for the Rockets, who were upset on the road as 6.5-point favorites. Pau Gasol led the Grizzlies with 26 points.

Dallas 99, Philadelphia 84: Dirk Nowitzki had 21 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists for the Mavericks, who were favored by 11.5 at home. Jason Terry had a game-high 25 for the Mavs.

San Antonio 107, Los Angeles Lakers 92: Bruce Bowen helped limit Kobe Bryant to 18 points while going 6-for-6 from three-point land and finishing with 23 points himself. The Spurs covered the eight-point spread at home as Tony Parker had a game-high 26.

For NBA odds for Wednesday, the Bodog Sportsbook is the place to play.