Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 25/05/2024, 01:49  by Kennedy Kechula in NBA Predictions

The Indiana Pacers will be at home against the Boston Celtics for game three of their Eastern Conference finals playoff matchup. Boston lead the series 2-0 after taking both games at home. Indiana haven’t lost at home in the postseason and will hope to preserve this record as they seek a way back in this series. Rick Carlisle’s men made a good account of themselves in Boston, especially in game one where they lost 133-128 in OT. Game two saw Boston claim a less nervy 126-110 victory. Losing both games is however not the Pacers’ biggest concern, the fitness of star guard Tyrese Haliburton is. Haliburton left game two in the second half with a hamstring injury and isn’t certain to be ready for the Celtics’ visit. He has also struggled with back spasms and has often been included in the team’s injury reports in these playoffs. The two-time All-Star scored a team-leading 25 points and added 10 assists in game one. Indiana have also had to do without long-term absentee Bennedict Mathurin. The Pacers, who overcame a 2-0 deficit in the semi-finals against the Knicks, are yet to lose at home in the postseason. They are averaging 114.9 points and shooting 51% from the field in the playoffs.

Boston have lost just two games in these playoffs. Both came in games two in each of their first two rounds. As they are unbeaten on the road in the postseason, Joe Mazzulla’s men will be confident of sweeping their hosts. Boston were dominant in game two after a close game one and at one stage in the game had a 20-point lead. Jaylen Brown, who scored a crucial three-pointer in game one to force overtime, was decisive again in game two. He scored a game high 40 points, almost 20 points more than the team’s second-leading scorer. For the second straight game, Boston took advantage of the Pacers' sloppy play and made them pay for their turnovers. Boston did not have Kristaps Porzingis who has missed the last eight games with a soleus issue. Luke Kornet has deputized in his place but the big man is also dealing with an injury and is questionable for this game. The Celtics have won the last three matchups with the Pacers and in seven meetings this season, have won five times. They are averaging 111.7 points in the playoffs, shooting 48.4% from the field and 37.5% from three.