The Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers collide at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in a crucial Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday. Here’s a Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Prediction.
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics have now won nine of their last 10 games overall during these playoffs and are now gunning for a commanding 3-0 series lead after routing the Pacers in a 126-110 win in Game 2 on Tuesday. Jaylen Brown led the team with 40 points on 14 of 27 shooting, Jayson Tatum and Derrick White each scored 23 points while Jrue Holiday chipped in with 15 points and 10 assists on six of seven shooting. As a team, the Celtics shot 53 percent from the field and 15 of 37 from the 3-point line as they shook off a slow start and poured in 32 points in the second quarter to take the lead into halftime thanks to a hot start from Brown, but they didn’t start to really pull away until Tatum and White caught fire in the third quarter where they exploded for 36 points.
Indiana Pacers
Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers will be hoping to bounce back after getting thrashed by the Celtics in a tough loss in Game 2. Pascal Siakam led the team with 28 points on 13 of 17 shooting, Andrew Nembhard added 16 points with five assists while Tyrese Haliburton chipped in with 10 points and eight assists. As a team, the Pacers shot a healthy 52 percent from the field and 11 of 29 from the 3-point line, but they were always playing from behind after allowing the Celtics to pull ahead in the second quarter. To be fair, the Pacers did a decent job of staying in the fight as they cut a 16-point deficit to just two points, before allowing the Celtics off the hook. Aaron Nesmith scored just nine points while Myles Turner scored just eight points on three of seven shooting.
Why the Indiana Pacers will win
- The Pacers have won each of their last 11 games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
- The Celtics have lost seven of their last eight Eastern Conference Finals road games against Central Division opponents following a win.
- The Pacers have covered the spread in seven of their last eight home games following a loss.
- The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six road games against Central Division opponents that held a winning record.
Indiana Pacers Player Facts
- Myles Turner is one of only five qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.5 threes and 1.5 blocks this season.
- Aaron Nesmith ranks 4th in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for 3P% (41.9%) this season.
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.
Matchup/League Facts
- 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).
- 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).
Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Prediction
The Celtics were somewhat lucky to come away with the win in the series opener, but there was nothing lucky about their dominant win in Game 2 to take a 2-0 series lead. The Pacers came out flat and just couldn’t make their shots to hang with the Celtics except for Siakam who almost single-handedly brought the Pacers back into the contest. Siakamjust didn’t get enough help from his teammates. With the series now shifting to Indiana, we can expect much better production from their role players. While I still have the Celtics winning Game 3, I’m backing the Pacers to throw their best punch and at least keep this one close at home.