Boston Celtics vs. Indiana Pacers Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 30th 2024
Preview and Prediction
The Indiana Pacers are looking to put an end to their three-game losing streak on Wednesday night as they face off against the undefeated Boston Celtics in a highly anticipated matchup between two teams that met in last season's Eastern Conference Finals.
After starting the season with a win against Detroit, the Pacers have suffered three consecutive losses, with their most recent defeat being a close 119-115 game against the Orlando Magic. Despite overcoming a 13-point deficit in the third quarter and taking an eight-point lead in the fourth, the Pacers were unable to hold off Orlando's impressive 50-point performance from Paolo Banchero.
Head coach Rick Carlisle remains optimistic, stating that the team showed improvement in their most recent game and will continue to work on areas that need improvement. Pascal Siakam led the team with 26 points and nine rebounds, while Tyrese Haliburton contributed 19 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds in the loss to Orlando.
One area of concern for the Pacers was their poor free-throw shooting, with 10 missed attempts out of 30. Despite the loss, Haliburton remains encouraged by the team's performance and is looking forward to their next game against the reigning NBA champions, the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics have remained unbeaten through four games, with their most recent win being a 119-108 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Guard Payton Pritchard had a standout performance, scoring 28 points off the bench in just 28 minutes. He made 10 out of 14 field-goal attempts, including 8 out of 12 3-pointers.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla praised Pritchard's impact on the game, stating that he is a fierce competitor and a joy to watch on the court. Pritchard has scored in double figures in the last three games and is currently tied for the NBA lead in made 3-pointers with 19.
Boston's star player, Jaylen Brown, also had an impressive game, scoring 21 of his team-high 30 points in the second half. Mazzulla commended Brown's ability to take over a game and make crucial plays when needed.
The Celtics will be starting a four-game road trip with their game against the Pacers on Wednesday. It is sure to be an exciting matchup between two talented teams.
Boston Celtics vs. Indiana Pacers Recap MAY 27TH 2024
Derrick White drained a tiebreaking corner 3-pointer with 45 seconds left in regulation and the Boston Celtics finished off a four-game sweep of the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals with a 105-102 victory on Monday night at Indianapolis.
Jaylen Brown scored 29 points and Jayson Tatum added 26 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists as the top-seeded Celtics landed a spot in the NBA Finals for the second time in the past three seasons.
Andrew Nembhard had 24 points and a playoff career-high 10 assists for the sixth-seeded Pacers.
Boston overcame a nine-point deficit in the fourth-quarter while once again playing better basketball down the stretch.
A defensive breakdown by the Pacers left White standing alone in the right corner on the decisive shot. Brown, who was named the MVP of the series, spotted him and got him the ball, and White's shot swished through the net.
Nembhard missed a 3-pointer with 33.6 seconds left and Tatum got the rebound. Indiana decided not to foul, and Tatum missed a 3-pointer with 8.3 seconds remaining. But Jrue Holiday collected the offensive rebound with 4.7 seconds left, and the Celtics ran out the clock.
It was Boston's second straight comeback win in Indianapolis. The Celtics overcame an eight-point deficit with 2:38 left in Game 3 to post a 114-111 victory.
Holiday had 17 points and nine rebounds on Monday and White added 16 points, five steals and three blocked shots for the Celtics, who will face either the Dallas Mavericks or Minnesota Timberwolves in the Finals.
Pascal Siakam had 19 points and 10 rebounds and T.J. McConnell added 15 points for Indiana. Aaron Nesmith scored 14 points and Obi Toppin added 12.
Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) missed his second straight game.
The Celtics shot 44.9 percent from the field, including 14 of 44 from 3-point range.
Indiana made 46 percent of its shot attempts and was 10 of 29 from behind the arc.
McConnell scored six points in 64 seconds early in the fourth quarter to give the Pacers an 89-82 lead. A three-point play by Nembhard made it 94-85 with 8:57 remaining.
After Boston moved within four, Nesmith made back-to-back baskets to give Indiana a 98-90 lead with 5:56 to go.
The Celtics answered with an 8-2 run, moving within 100-98 on Holiday's three-point play with 3:54 remaining.
Brown's runner tied the score at 102 with 2:40 left.
Tatum scored 16 points before halftime as Boston led 58-57 at the break. Nembhard also tallied 16 points in the first half.
The Pacers took an 83-80 advantage into the final stanza.