Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA
Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers Game 4: Eastern Conference Finals
The Boston Celtics can reach the NBA Finals if they beat the Indiana Pacers on Monday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Is this the season for the Celtics?
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 and are now 3-0 up against the Pacers. The Celtics were down at halftime in Game 3 but made a crucial run in the fourth quarter to win 114-111. Jayson Tatum scored 36 points and Jaylen Brown added 24.
The Pacers have reached their limit
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 had a great season but lost the first game after 11 home wins in Game 3, even though they shot over 50% from the field. The Tyrese Haliburton loss was too much for them to handle. Andrew Nembhard scored a playoff-high 32 points, while Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner had 22 points each.
Betting Trends
The Celtics have won 5 of the last 6 games against the Pacers but have lost 4 of the last 6 played in Indiana. Boston is 6-0 SU in their last 6 games overall, 7-1 SU in the last 8 games on the road and 10-1 SU in their last 11 games against teams from the Eastern Conference. They are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall, 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games against the Pacers and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games played in Indiana. The Celtics have played over the total point line in 5 of their last 6 games overall and in 8 of the last 11 games against teams from the Central Division. The Pacers are 11-1 SU in their last 12 games at home and 1-6 SU in their last 7 games as underdogs. Indiana is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall. They have played over the total point line in 5 of their last 6 games overall, 15 of the last 19 games against teams from the Eastern Conference and 8 of the last 10 games against teams from the Atlantic Division.
Prediction and Conclusion
The Indiana Pacers were pretty close to winning two of the previous three games in the series, but the Celtics are simply the better team and have learned a lot in recent seasons. Tatum and Brown are functioning well on the court, and the Celtics will make the NBA finals with only two losses in the playoffs. The Pacers were very close in Game 3, even though their best player, Tyrese Haliburton, was out. Tonight, Boston will have full control of the game and sweep the Pacers to advance to the NBA Finals.
