The Celtics were expected to get here, but the Pacers weren’t. But that doesn’t mean Boston will have a cakewalk to the NBA Finals. Game 1 showed that the Pacers are for real!
The Celtics were the heavy favorites heading into the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers. Still, in Game 1, they had to turn an almost sure loss into a win–courtesy of Jalen Brown–when he hit a heavily guarded corner jumper to tie the game and send it into overtime.
Boston took it from there, beating the stunned Pacers 133-128. The two teams will face off tonight in Game 2 at 8 p.m., and televised on ESPN.
Game 1 told the Celtics that the Pacers would be their toughest postseason test. Indiana was the second-best offensive team during the regular season (behind only the Celtics). The Pacers love to run on offense; if that is not enough, they run some more. Tyrese Haliburton gets a dangerous fast break going, and the Pacers have the big bodies in Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam to punish the rim in transition. Moreover, Indiana is the best offensive team this postseason with a 121.7 offensive rating, just ahead of Boston and its 118.9 offensive rating.
Defensive Edge
Celtics’ Defense vs. Pacers’ Offense. But I believe the biggest difference in this matchup comes on the other end, as the Celtics possess a suffocating defense while the Pacers do not. They became a better defensive team after picking up Siakam at the trade deadline but finished the regular season with the 24th-ranked defense. It has not been much better in the playoffs, with Indy ranked 13th with a 118.1 defensive rating. The Celtics are third at 106.1 after finishing the regular season second at 110.6
Defensive Firepower:Â The Pacers are obviously going to test that defense, but the Celtics have the talent, the long arms, and the scheme to slow it all down. And if they do not, they have the offensive firepower that should be able to keep pace in a track meet.
Key Matchups
Tyrese! (photo courtesy NY Post)
Tyrese Haliburton vs. Boston’s Backcourt: For Indiana, it all starts with Haliburton, and he is coming off a huge series against the Knicks, where he averaged 21.3 points per game off 53.8 percent shooting from the floor and 43.9 percent from three-point range. For Indy to have any chance in this series, he must play at an other-worldly level. Jrue Holiday and Derrick White will be there to ensure he does not. And when Haliburton is off, chances are the Pacers’ offense is also off. He averaged 24 points in Indy’s four wins over the Knicks, to just 11.3 points in their three losses.
Haliburton’s Performance Against Boston: He did have a monster game against the Celtics in the In-Season Tournament quarterfinals, logging a triple-double and finishing with 26 points off 10-for-18 shooting. But he struggled from the floor in his other two full games against Boston. He left their Jan. 8 meeting after just 13 minutes with an ankle injury but was 3-for-5 before departing,- and was just 10-for-33 overall and 3-for-14 from deep. Haliburton averaged just 15.8 points off 41 percent shooting against the C’s while averaging 20.1 points off 47.7 percent shooting overall during the regular season. Holiday and White made him work in the regular season, which will continue over the next two weeks. Both have the length to limit their spot-up looks; they can muck up any open passing lanes if they get back on the break.
Defensive Adjustments
Team Effort on Haliburton: Guarding Haliburton will not fall entirely on Holiday and White. Holiday may find himself on Turner at times to defend Indy’s pick-and-roll, and Jayson Tatum and Jalen Brown could potentially slip over to the Haliburton assignment in switches. Haliburton can take over any game, but the Celtics have several capable defenders to ensure he does not.
Graphic of Jayson Tatum courtesy of The Medium
Tatum and Brown vs. Siakam: Tatum usually found himself on Siakam during the forward’s time in Toronto, but Brown may fight him for the matchup this round. Siakam is leading the charge for the Pacers at 21 points per game this postseason, and Brown is always looking to defend the opposing team’s top scorer. Siakam was on fire against the Knicks, shooting 52.8 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point land.Sixty0 percent of his playoff points have come in the paint, and over 82 percent have been 2-pointers. Staying in front of Siakam is key for Boston, and thankfully, Tatum and Brown are big enough and strong enough to do so. (While also fully capable of dropping a 30-piece on the other end.)
Impact on the Series:Â The Celtics’ dominant season and playoff run have captivated their fan base and fueled a surge in sports betting activities. Massachusetts betting promos have become increasingly popular, providing fans exciting opportunities to engage with the games and potentially profit from the Celtics’ performance. These promotions have added an extra layer of excitement for fans, allowing them to immerse themselves further in the playoff action.
Clutch-Time Scenarios: Celtics vs. Crunch Time
The Celtics were rarely tested during the regular season, with more 20-point wins than close games, and that has carried over to the playoffs. Boston has played 79 seconds of “clutch time” — games within five points with five minutes left in the fourth quarter –, and that was when they let a double-digit lead slip away late against the Cavaliers in a Game 4 win. Nine of Boston’s playoff games have been decided by double digits. The Pacers have played in four games, which were decided by single digits this postseason, going 2-2 in those contests. That included two of their best wins over the Knicks. Boston and Indiana played three games that were decided by 10 points or less during the regular season, with the Pacers winning two. Indiana played Boston tough during the regular season. It would make life easier for the Celtics if they could recreate their 51-point victory over the Pacers every game. Still, they will likely find themselves in some clutch situations at this playoff stage. If that is the case, the Cs must be ready to play their best and brightest basketball when the game is tight.
Of the two NBA conference finals series, the Celtics are undoubtedly the favorites to reach the NB A finals. But Indiana has repeatedly shown that they will play hard every game and make Boston earn every one of those wins.
