Celtics-Pacers Eastern Conference Finals Preview, Odds and Predictions originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Eastern Conference Finals matchup is set. The Boston Celtics will face the Indiana Pacers with a spot in the 2024 NBA Finals at stake.
This is the seventh time in playoff history that these teams will meet. The previous six series were in the first round and the Celtics won four of them.
The Celtics will be well rested entering this series. They eliminated the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of the second round on May 15. They will have had five days of rest before Game 1 on Tuesday. The Pacers needed to overcome a 3-2 series deficit and win a seventh game on the road at Madison Square Garden to eliminate the New York Knicks in the second round.
The C’s are used to this stage and the pressure that comes with it. They are making their sixth conference finals appearance in the last eight years. The Pacers are in the conference finals for the first time since 2014.
The Pacers have some young players playing key roles, led by 24-year-old star Tyrese Haliburton. But this group does have some important and very experienced veterans.
Myles Turner is in his ninth season. Pascal Siakam is in his eighth season and has played in 66 playoff games in his career. He was one of the Toronto Raptors’ best players during their 2019 championship. Backup point guard TJ McConnell is a nine-year veteran. And head coach Rick Carlisle won one title as a player (1986 Celtics) and has coached 140 playoff games. He was the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks when they won the 2011 NBA Finals.
The Pacers were fearless in Game 7 at MSG. They were fearless in their run to the championship game of the season tournament. You can bet they won’t be afraid of the Celtics either.
Both teams are close to maximum capacity. The Pacers have no major injuries. Celts He will reportedly be without Kristaps Porzingis to start the series..
Here’s our full preview of the conference finals, including a series prediction.
Series schedule
The Eastern Conference Finals begin Tuesday in Boston. There is only one day of rest between each game.
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