Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA
Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers Game 3: Eastern Conference Finals
The Boston Celtics can bet one step closer to the NBA Finals when they visit the Indiana Pacers on Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Nobody can beat the Celtics but themselves
The Boston Celtics had the best regular-season record and the easiest road to reach the conference finals of the four teams left in the playoffs. They lost a game at home in the previous two rounds but did not allow that to happen in the series against the Pacers. Indiana had a real chance in Game 1, but the Celtics took care of business in the following game. The Pacers hung in there in the opening quarter, and it was all Celtics for the rest of the way. Boston shot 53.4% from the field and 40.5% from three-point territory for a 126-110 win. Jaylen Brown scored 40 points, and Jayson Tatum added 23 as many as Derrick White.
The Pacers are with their backs against the wall
The Indiana Pacers stunned the New York Knicks on the road in Game 7 to make it to their first conference finals in a decade. They almost stole Game 1 on the road but were not even close to that in Game 2. Tyrese Haliburton exited the game earlier with a hamstring injury, and that hurt the Pacers a lot. They shot a solid 52.4% from the field and 37.9% from deep, but that wasn’t enough to get the win. Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 28 points on 13 of 17 shooting from the field. Andrew Nembhard scored 16 and Haliburton finished with 10 points and 8 assists.
Betting Trends
The Celtics have won 4 of the last 5 games against the Pacers but have lost 4 of the last 5 played in Indiana. Boston is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games overall, 6-1 SU in the last 7 games on the road and 9-1 SU in their last 10 games against teams from the Eastern Conference. They are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games overall, 4-8 ATS in their last 12 games against the Pacers and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games played in Indiana. The Celtics have played over the total point line in 4 of their last 5 games overall and in 8 of the last 11 games against teams from the Central Division. The Pacers are 11-0 SU in their last 11 games at home and 1-5 SU in their last 6 games as underdogs. Indiana is 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games overall. They have played over the total point line in 4 of their last 5 games overall, 14 of the last 19 games against teams from the Eastern Conference and 7 of the last 10 games against teams from the Atlantic Division.
Prediction and Conclusion
The Pacers beat the odds to get this far in the playoffs, but no one can deny that they fully deserved it. The crucial game in their run was the Game 7 win in New York, but what makes the Pacers a strong team is their home court, as they have won the last 11 games in Indianapolis. A huge blow for the team is Haliburton’s hamstring injury, and he is listed as questionable for Gane 3. His absence will make the Celtics job much easier, but knowing how competitive Haliburton is, he will most likely show up on the court. With or without him, the Celtics are favorites in this one, but the Pacers will be able to cover the +7-point spread.
