With two games in the books and Boston leading the series 2-0, the East Finals head to Indiana where the Celtics and Pacers will play Game 3 on Saturday night.
After a tense, narrow affair in Game 1, the Boston Celtics more closely resembled their usual selves in Thursday’s Game 2, which they won 126-110. Known for their attack but also their defence, the Celtics played a solid two-way game all night long, whereas the Pacers couldn’t push as hard as they had in the first match. Worse, Indiana finished the game without the services of Tyrese Haliburton, who injured left leg soreness.
For Game 3, the NBA Playoff odds still believe in the Celtics but expect a closer contest this time. Boston is pegged at -6.5.
Celtics vs. Pacers NBA Betting Odds
From a betting perspective, the Eastern Conference Finals have gone from bad to worse for the Pacers. The Game 2 defeat has downgraded their odds of claiming the series from +1000 to +3000. Coming back to win four straight is priced at an incredible +10000, and a 4-3 series win is +5000.
A Boston sweep has gone from +240 to -140, a 4-1 series victory is +175 (previously +140), six matches is +800 (previously +450), and a seven-game win is priced at +1700 (previously +650).
There is a bit more clarity on Kristaps Porzingis’ calf situation. He most likely will not suit up for Saturday’s match but could be available for Game 4, which is scheduled for Monday night.
Regarding Haliburton, all eyes are on his left leg. Without him, the Pacers have almost no chance of staging a series comeback. We all await what exactly his status is. At of Friday morning, he may even play on Saturday.
Boston Celtics
After Game 1, the word in the media was that the Celtics “escaped” with a win. This is ironic given that so few were impressed with the ease with which they dispatched their first two playoff opponents, but a close win against a healthy team was an “escape.”
Boston took matters into its own hands and played better the second time. They by no means blew the doors off the Pacers, but Game 2 was a more comfortable victory. Jaylen Brown followed his Game 1 heroics with a 40-point night. Only half the job in this conference final is complete, but he has already carved his name as one of its major forces. He was brilliantly aggressive when driving to the basket. Jayson Tatum is struggled somewhat to leave his mark (23 points, 1-for-7 from three), but in his defence he keeps coming up with baskets in big moments. Derrick White also finished with 23 points but was more efficient, shooting 8-for-15.
Boston’s defence is arguably what rebounded the most, no pun intended. There were a handful of occasions when last-second interceptions and stout play off the glass allowed the Celtics to execute fast break points.
Indiana Pacers
It’s not as though the Pacers haven’t been in this situation before. They lost Game 1 of the first round and still claimed the series. They fell in the first two matches of the second round and eventually clawed back for a 4-3 win. This runs the risk of featuring a very different outcome.
Indiana’s defence is struggling with the plethora of Boston’s attacking options. Whether it was Tatum’s 35 points in Game 1, Brown 40 points in Game 2, or any of the many other role players (like former Pacer Oshae Brissett), Indiana has looked mediocre on the defensive end twice now. They also committed significant turnovers (16) that led to key points the other way. Pascal Siakam followed up a solid first match with a good second one (28 points) but players who did well on Tuesday struggled on Thursday, like Aaron Nesmith (nine points) and Myles Turner (nine points).
The bench scored an impressive 40 points, led by Obi Toppin’s 11. Perhaps that is the secret to Indiana keeping their season alive.
NBA Playoff Prediction: Who Will Win Celtics vs. Pacers Game 3?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 24 May 2:53am | IND | -6.5 -115 | O +224.5 -110 |
| Closing 26 May 2:43am | IND | -2.5 -130 | O +218.5 -120 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
| Points |
26.85 |
| Assists |
5.16 |
| Rebounds |
8.12 |
| FG% |
70 |
| Steals |
1.19 |
| Blocks |
1.95 |
| Points |
21.27 |
| Assists |
10.9 |
| Rebounds |
7.78 |
| FG% |
66.5 |
| Steals |
1.2 |
| Blocks |
1.87 |
| Points |
25 |
| Assists |
6.26 |
| Rebounds |
9.68 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.21 |
| Blocks |
1.57 |
| Points |
21.59 |
| Assists |
8.2 |
| Rebounds |
7.53 |
| FG% |
56 |
| Steals |
1.27 |
| Blocks |
1.47 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Pacers Team Leaders
| Points |
26.85 |
| Assists |
5.16 |
| Rebounds |
8.12 |
| FG% |
70 |
| Steals |
1.19 |
| Blocks |
1.95 |
| Points |
21.27 |
| Assists |
10.9 |
| Rebounds |
7.78 |
| FG% |
66.5 |
| Steals |
1.2 |
| Blocks |
1.87 |
| Points |
25 |
| Assists |
6.26 |
| Rebounds |
9.68 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.21 |
| Blocks |
1.57 |
| Points |
21.59 |
| Assists |
8.2 |
| Rebounds |
7.53 |
| FG% |
56 |
| Steals |
1.27 |
| Blocks |
1.47 |
Injuries
Kristaps Porzingis (PF)
Luke Kornet (C)
Jrue Holiday (PG)
Jrue Holiday (PG)
Luke Kornet (C)
Xavier Tillman (PF)
Luke Kornet (C)
Kristaps Porzingis (PF)
Luke Kornet (C)
Al Horford (C)
Jalen Smith (PF)
Aaron Nesmith (SG)
Jalen Smith (PF)
Obi Toppin (PF)
Isaiah Jackson (PF)
Jalen Smith (PF)
Myles Turner (C)
T.J. McConnell (PG)
Aaron Nesmith (SG)
James Johnson (PF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kristaps Porzingis (PF) | Prob Mon | Leg - 11 / 06 / 24 | 1-1 | 0-3 | + - |
|
Porzingis is nursing a lower leg injury, but he is expected to be on court against the Mavericks on Monday in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. |
|||||
| Luke Kornet (C) | Ques Thurs | Wrist - 30 / 05 / 24 | 2-2 | 0-5 | + - |
|
Kornet is dealing with a left wrist sprain injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Mavericks on Thursday. |
|||||
| Jrue Holiday (PG) | Prob Mon | Illness - 26 / 05 / 24 | 3-3 | 2-5 | + - |
|
Holiday is ailing from illness, but he is projected to be on court against the Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. |
|||||
| Jrue Holiday (PG) | Prob Sun | Illness - 25 / 05 / 24 | 3-3 | 2-5 | + - |
|
Holiday is dealing with a non-COVID illness, but he is likely to be on court against the Pacers on Sunday. |
|||||
| Luke Kornet (C) | Prob Mon | Wrist - 24 / 05 / 24 | 3-3 | 2-5 | + - |
|
Kornet is dealing with a left wrist sprain injury, but he is expected to play against the Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. |
|||||
| Xavier Tillman (PF) | Ques Sat | Personal - 20 / 05 / 24 | 3-5 | 4-5 | + - |
|
Tillman has missed the last two game because of the personal reasons, and it is unclear if he will play Saturday against the Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. |
|||||
| Luke Kornet (C) | Prob Mon | Calf - 12 / 05 / 24 | 4-7 | 5-7 | + - |
|
Kornet has a right calf injury, but he is expected to feature in the lineup against the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| Kristaps Porzingis (PF) | Prob Thur | Calf - 29 / 04 / 24 | 8-7 | 7-9 | + - |
|
Porzingis is dealing with a right calf strain, and he is expected to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Mavericks on Thursday. |
|||||
| Luke Kornet (C) | Prob Sat | Calf - 20 / 04 / 24 | 9-8 | 9-10 | + - |
|
Kornet has been out of commission with a right calf strain, but he is expected to return to the court for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Heat. |
|||||
| Al Horford (C) | Prob Sun | Toe - 12 / 04 / 24 | 10-9 | 11-10 | + - |
|
Horford has a left big toe sprain, but he is expected to line up for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Smith (PF) | Out Mon | Illness - 27 / 05 / 24 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Smith is ailing from illness, and he is unlikely to be on court against the Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals. |
|||||
| Aaron Nesmith (SG) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 11 / 05 / 24 | 5-3 | 5-3 | + - |
|
Nesmith is managing a right shoulder soreness, but he is expected to play against the Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| Jalen Smith (PF) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24 | 10-8 | 13-5 | + - |
|
Smith is tending to a left ankle sprain, but it is projected that he will suit up Sunday versus the Hawks. |
|||||
| Obi Toppin (PF) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 12 / 04 / 24 | 11-8 | 14-5 | + - |
|
Toppin exited the previous game with a left ankle sprain, but it is not expected to affect his status for Sunday's battle versus the Hawks. |
|||||
| Isaiah Jackson (PF) | Prob Sun | Hamstring - 11 / 04 / 24 | 11-8 | 14-5 | + - |
|
Jackson was absent from the last match with a left hamstring strain, but it is expected that he will line up against the Hawks on Sunday. |
|||||
| Jalen Smith (PF) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 05 / 04 / 24 | 12-10 | 16-6 | + - |
|
Smith exited the last contest with a left ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will suit up Sunday against the Heat. |
|||||
| Myles Turner (C) | Prob Fri | Finger - 01 / 04 / 24 | 14-10 | 17-7 | + - |
|
Turner was held out of the last game with a right finger sprain, but it is forecasted that he will battle the Thunder on Friday. |
|||||
| T.J. McConnell (PG) | Ques Wed | Ankle - 26 / 03 / 24 | 15-12 | 19-8 | + - |
|
McConnell is nursing left ankle soreness, and it remains to be seen if he will suit up for Wednesday's battle with the Bulls. |
|||||
| Aaron Nesmith (SG) | Ques Wed | Knee - 25 / 03 / 24 | 16-12 | 19-9 | + - |
|
Nesmith missed the last game tending to a bruised right knee, and it is uncertain if he will face the Bulls on Wednesday. |
|||||
| James Johnson (PF) | Ques Mon | Personal - 22 / 03 / 24 | 17-12 | 19-10 | + - |
|
Johnson has been absent the previous two contests due to a personal matter, and it is unknown if he will take the court Monday against the Clippers. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 24 May 2:53am IND -6.5 -115 O +224.5 -110 Closing 26 May 2:43am IND -2.5 -130 O +218.5 -120 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
Points 26.85
Assists 5.16
Rebounds 8.12
FG% 70
Steals 1.19
Blocks 1.95
Points 21.27
Assists 10.9
Rebounds 7.78
FG% 66.5
Steals 1.2
Blocks 1.87
Points 25
Assists 6.26
Rebounds 9.68
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.21
Blocks 1.57
Points 21.59
Assists 8.2
Rebounds 7.53
FG% 56
Steals 1.27
Blocks 1.47
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Pacers Team Leaders
Points 26.85
Assists 5.16
Rebounds 8.12
FG% 70
Steals 1.19
Blocks 1.95
Points 21.27
Assists 10.9
Rebounds 7.78
FG% 66.5
Steals 1.2
Blocks 1.87
Points 25
Assists 6.26
Rebounds 9.68
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.21
Blocks 1.57
Points 21.59
Assists 8.2
Rebounds 7.53
FG% 56
Steals 1.27
Blocks 1.47
-
Injuries
Kristaps Porzingis (PF)
Prob Mon Leg - 11 / 06 / 24Luke Kornet (C)
Ques Thurs Wrist - 30 / 05 / 24Jrue Holiday (PG)
Prob Mon Illness - 26 / 05 / 24Jrue Holiday (PG)
Prob Sun Illness - 25 / 05 / 24Luke Kornet (C)
Prob Mon Wrist - 24 / 05 / 24Xavier Tillman (PF)
Ques Sat Personal - 20 / 05 / 24Luke Kornet (C)
Prob Mon Calf - 12 / 05 / 24Kristaps Porzingis (PF)
Prob Thur Calf - 29 / 04 / 24Luke Kornet (C)
Prob Sat Calf - 20 / 04 / 24Al Horford (C)
Prob Sun Toe - 12 / 04 / 24Jalen Smith (PF)
Out Mon Illness - 27 / 05 / 24Aaron Nesmith (SG)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 11 / 05 / 24Jalen Smith (PF)
Prob Sun Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24Obi Toppin (PF)
Prob Sun Ankle - 12 / 04 / 24Isaiah Jackson (PF)
Prob Sun Hamstring - 11 / 04 / 24Jalen Smith (PF)
Prob Sun Ankle - 05 / 04 / 24Myles Turner (C)
Prob Fri Finger - 01 / 04 / 24T.J. McConnell (PG)
Ques Wed Ankle - 26 / 03 / 24Aaron Nesmith (SG)
Ques Wed Knee - 25 / 03 / 24James Johnson (PF)
Ques Mon Personal - 22 / 03 / 24Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Kristaps Porzingis (PF) Prob Mon Leg - 11 / 06 / 24 1-1 0-3 + - Porzingis is nursing a lower leg injury, but he is expected to be on court against the Mavericks on Monday in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Luke Kornet (C) Ques Thurs Wrist - 30 / 05 / 24 2-2 0-5 + - Kornet is dealing with a left wrist sprain injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Mavericks on Thursday.
Jrue Holiday (PG) Prob Mon Illness - 26 / 05 / 24 3-3 2-5 + - Holiday is ailing from illness, but he is projected to be on court against the Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Jrue Holiday (PG) Prob Sun Illness - 25 / 05 / 24 3-3 2-5 + - Holiday is dealing with a non-COVID illness, but he is likely to be on court against the Pacers on Sunday.
Luke Kornet (C) Prob Mon Wrist - 24 / 05 / 24 3-3 2-5 + - Kornet is dealing with a left wrist sprain injury, but he is expected to play against the Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Xavier Tillman (PF) Ques Sat Personal - 20 / 05 / 24 3-5 4-5 + - Tillman has missed the last two game because of the personal reasons, and it is unclear if he will play Saturday against the Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Luke Kornet (C) Prob Mon Calf - 12 / 05 / 24 4-7 5-7 + - Kornet has a right calf injury, but he is expected to feature in the lineup against the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Kristaps Porzingis (PF) Prob Thur Calf - 29 / 04 / 24 8-7 7-9 + - Porzingis is dealing with a right calf strain, and he is expected to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Mavericks on Thursday.
Luke Kornet (C) Prob Sat Calf - 20 / 04 / 24 9-8 9-10 + - Kornet has been out of commission with a right calf strain, but he is expected to return to the court for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Heat.
Al Horford (C) Prob Sun Toe - 12 / 04 / 24 10-9 11-10 + - Horford has a left big toe sprain, but he is expected to line up for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jalen Smith (PF) Out Mon Illness - 27 / 05 / 24 1-0 1-0 + - Smith is ailing from illness, and he is unlikely to be on court against the Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Aaron Nesmith (SG) Prob Sun Shoulder - 11 / 05 / 24 5-3 5-3 + - Nesmith is managing a right shoulder soreness, but he is expected to play against the Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Jalen Smith (PF) Prob Sun Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24 10-8 13-5 + - Smith is tending to a left ankle sprain, but it is projected that he will suit up Sunday versus the Hawks.
Obi Toppin (PF) Prob Sun Ankle - 12 / 04 / 24 11-8 14-5 + - Toppin exited the previous game with a left ankle sprain, but it is not expected to affect his status for Sunday's battle versus the Hawks.
Isaiah Jackson (PF) Prob Sun Hamstring - 11 / 04 / 24 11-8 14-5 + - Jackson was absent from the last match with a left hamstring strain, but it is expected that he will line up against the Hawks on Sunday.
Jalen Smith (PF) Prob Sun Ankle - 05 / 04 / 24 12-10 16-6 + - Smith exited the last contest with a left ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will suit up Sunday against the Heat.
Myles Turner (C) Prob Fri Finger - 01 / 04 / 24 14-10 17-7 + - Turner was held out of the last game with a right finger sprain, but it is forecasted that he will battle the Thunder on Friday.
T.J. McConnell (PG) Ques Wed Ankle - 26 / 03 / 24 15-12 19-8 + - McConnell is nursing left ankle soreness, and it remains to be seen if he will suit up for Wednesday's battle with the Bulls.
Aaron Nesmith (SG) Ques Wed Knee - 25 / 03 / 24 16-12 19-9 + - Nesmith missed the last game tending to a bruised right knee, and it is uncertain if he will face the Bulls on Wednesday.
James Johnson (PF) Ques Mon Personal - 22 / 03 / 24 17-12 19-10 + - Johnson has been absent the previous two contests due to a personal matter, and it is unknown if he will take the court Monday against the Clippers.