The Eastern Conference Finals got off to a rollicking start in Game 1. The Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics - who lead 1-0 - will go at it again in Game 2 on Thursday night.
After Indiana and Boston made it out of the first two rounds by dispatching opponents severely hampered by injuries, it was perhaps fitting that their conference final Game 1 would hang on a knife’s edge. Neither had the benefit of pouncing on a weakened rival, both are replete with talent, and it made for an excellent game. The Celtics pulled out a 133-128 overtime win to lead the series 1-0.
The NBA Playoff odds continue to favour the Celtics for the second match, with a slightly tighter spread of -8.5.
Pacers vs. Celtics NBA Betting Odds
For the series as a whole, regardless of the number of games, Boston remains a massive favourite (-2000), but Indiana’s figure took a hit with the loss in Game 1. They’ve gone from +600 to +1000.
As for the number of games, Boston’s figures have only slightly shifted. A sweep has gone from +270 to +240, a 4-1 series win is +140 (previously +179), a six-game series is +450 (previously +400), and one that goes the distance is +650 (previously +600).
Unfortunately for Indiana, the odds for their outlook looks significantly more glum. A 4-2 series victory, which was +1400, is now +2000. Seven games is +2500. Should the Pacers somehow win the next four games, someone taking the +6600 will look like a genius.
Xavier Tillman (personal) is still day-to-day for Boston.
Indiana Pacers
In the aftermath of the Game 1 defeat, Aaron Nesmith felt his team “gave it away.” The frustration was surely palpable. However disappointing it was that a game the Pacers could have won slipped through their fingers, there are plenty of positives to build on to strike back in game 2.
Indiana executed an incredible 38 assists. Even considering that the match required an extra session, that’s still extremely high. The ball movement inside the perimeter was at times beguiling for viewers to admire and befuddling for Boston’s defence to stop. Tyrese Haliburton had 10 to his name to go along with 25 points. Myles Turner didn’t assist as much (four) but he finished with 23 points, most of which came in the first half, bolstered by 3-for-4 shooting from beyond the arc. Siakam had a solid night (24 points and 12 rebounds), and the Pacers’ bench remained true to its potent self, with both Obi Toppin (15 points) and T.J. McConnell (13 points) having good nights.
Regarding Jaylen Brown’s game-tying three, there wasn’t much more Siakam could have done. It happened. However, the turnovers must be cleaned up, as Indiana committed 22 in total.
Boston Celtics
We have now seen the Celtics win a critical and close contest. After blowing the doors off clearly weaker sides, Boston showed that is has some metal in its bones after all. They raced out to a quick 12-0 lead, suggesting the night would be easy. It was anything but. Even so, the Celtics arguably needed a game like this to show the doubters that they have this sort of gutsy performance in them.
There are no two ways about it. This was their most difficult game of the playoffs. Whatever punch Boston landed, Indiana struck back with aplomb. The Celtics will also need to play better defence against midrange shots. A forgotten art form, the midrange jumper kept the Pacers in the game all night long and nearly won it for them. This is when Kristaps Porzingis (still injured) is required. Jayson Tatum had the ultimate Tatum-esque game: 36 points and 12 rebounds, yet can be criticized for missing some shots that, yes, he should have made.
Jrue Holiday was excellent, finishing 28-7-8 and Al Horford had three awesome blocks, indulging one that resulted in a successful coaches challenge less thann a minute into the game. Brown (28 points) was only 1-for-4 from long range, but he hit the most important one, so he can be forgiven.
NBA Playoff Prediction: Who Will Win Pacers vs. Celtics Game 2?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 22 May 3:06am | BOS | -8.5 -110 | O +224.5 -115 |
Closing 24 May 2:14am | BOS | -16.5 -115 | O +224.5 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Pacers Team Leaders
Points |
21.27 |
Assists |
10.9 |
Rebounds |
7.78 |
FG% |
66.5 |
Steals |
1.2 |
Blocks |
1.87 |
Points |
26.85 |
Assists |
5.16 |
Rebounds |
8.12 |
FG% |
70 |
Steals |
1.19 |
Blocks |
1.95 |
Points |
21.59 |
Assists |
8.2 |
Rebounds |
7.53 |
FG% |
56 |
Steals |
1.27 |
Blocks |
1.47 |
Points |
25 |
Assists |
6.26 |
Rebounds |
9.68 |
FG% |
66.7 |
Steals |
1.21 |
Blocks |
1.57 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
Points |
21.27 |
Assists |
10.9 |
Rebounds |
7.78 |
FG% |
66.5 |
Steals |
1.2 |
Blocks |
1.87 |
Points |
26.85 |
Assists |
5.16 |
Rebounds |
8.12 |
FG% |
70 |
Steals |
1.19 |
Blocks |
1.95 |
Points |
21.59 |
Assists |
8.2 |
Rebounds |
7.53 |
FG% |
56 |
Steals |
1.27 |
Blocks |
1.47 |
Points |
25 |
Assists |
6.26 |
Rebounds |
9.68 |
FG% |
66.7 |
Steals |
1.21 |
Blocks |
1.57 |
Injuries
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)
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)
Injuries
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. |
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. |
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 22 May 3:06am BOS -8.5 -110 O +224.5 -115 Closing 24 May 2:14am BOS -16.5 -115 O +224.5 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Pacers Team Leaders
Points 21.27
Assists 10.9
Rebounds 7.78
FG% 66.5
Steals 1.2
Blocks 1.87
Points 26.85
Assists 5.16
Rebounds 8.12
FG% 70
Steals 1.19
Blocks 1.95
Points 21.59
Assists 8.2
Rebounds 7.53
FG% 56
Steals 1.27
Blocks 1.47
Points 25
Assists 6.26
Rebounds 9.68
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.21
Blocks 1.57
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
Points 21.27
Assists 10.9
Rebounds 7.78
FG% 66.5
Steals 1.2
Blocks 1.87
Points 26.85
Assists 5.16
Rebounds 8.12
FG% 70
Steals 1.19
Blocks 1.95
Points 21.59
Assists 8.2
Rebounds 7.53
FG% 56
Steals 1.27
Blocks 1.47
Points 25
Assists 6.26
Rebounds 9.68
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.21
Blocks 1.57
-
Injuries
Jalen 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 / 24Kristaps 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 / 24Injuries
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.
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.