Indiana Pacers (55-41) vs. Boston Celtics (72-20)
May 21, 2024 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Boston Celtics -9.5; Over/Under: +220.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Indiana Pacers and the Boston Celtics duke it out in NBA Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals at the TD Garden on Tuesday night. Here’s a Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers Prediction.
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers did it the hard way, but they booked their tickets to the Eastern Conference Finals after outlasting the Knicks in a thrilling seven-game series in the second round. Pascal Siakam led the team with averages of 21.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, Tyrese Haliburton added 18.8 points with 8.1 assists, Myles Turner averaged 17.5 points and 6.5 rebounds while Andrew Nembhard is averaging 13.0 points and 4.8 assists per game. As a team, the Pacers scored 114.2 points per game while shooting 50.7 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from the 3-point line during these playoffs.
Boston Celtics
Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics have had a much easier journey so far as they’ve only lost two games on their way to the Eastern Conference Finals. Jayson Tatum has been leading the way with averages of 24.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game, Jaylen Brown added 23.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, Derrick White is averaging 18.2 points per game while Jrue Holiday is averaging 10.4 points and 4.1 assists per game. As a team, the Celtics are scoring 108.1 points per game while shooting 48.0 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from the 3-point line so far during these playoffs.
Why the Boston Celtics will win
- The Celtics have won 21 of their last 22 home games when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Pacers have lost 12 of their last 13 Eastern Conference Finals road games following a win.
- The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games after winning as underdogs.
- The favorites have covered the spread in each of the Pacers’ last five Eastern Conference Finals games.
Boston Celtics Player Facts
- Al Horford ranks 1st amongst qualified Centers for 3P% (41.9%) this season.
- Jaylen Brown ranks T3rd in the league for fast break points (310) this season.
Indiana Pacers Player Facts
- Tyrese Haliburton ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assists per game (10.9) this season.
- T.J. McConnell ranks 1st amongst qualified Guards for FG% (55.6%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for point differential per game this season (+11.3).
- The Celtics rank T1st in the league for blocks per game this season (6.6).
- The Pacers rank 1st in the league for points per game this season (123.3).
- The Pacers rank 1st in the league for assists per game this season (30.8).
Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers Prediction
The Indiana Pacers come into this series with a full squad minus Bennedict Mathurin once again, while the Celtics have listed Xavier Tillman as questionable, and they have ruled out Kristaps Porzingis once again. The Pacers will be quietly confident they can make some noise in this series, as they fared decently against the Celtics, winning two of five meetings during the regular season. However, the Celtics are the fresher team, they have home court advantage, and it’s the Pacers coming into this one fresh off a seven-game series. I don’t have the Celtics sweeping the Pacers in this series, but I do think we’re going to see a short series, with the Celtics drawing first blood at home.
