Celtics vs. Pacers Eastern Conference Finals Preview

The Boston Celtics are set to face off against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. This is the Celtics’ third straight Eastern Conference Finals appearance while it’s the Pacers’ first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2014. The Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games while the Pacers defeated the Knicks in a hard-fought seven-game series. Pacers lead guard Tyrese Haliburton is in his first playoff run and already finds himself in the East Finals while co-star Pascal Siakam is back in the East Finals for the first time since 2020. Meanwhile, Celtics forward Jayson Tatum has made the East Finals five times in seven seasons and co-star Jaylen Brown has reached the East Finals six times in seven healthy playoff runs. 

The Pacers face a daunting challenge against the juggernaut Celtics. The key for them is to hunt mismatches against a switch-heavy Celtics defense. This will require a heavy dose of Haliburton and Siakam playing isolation ball and getting a bucket. That will ask the leader in assists this year, Haliburton, to be aggressive with his shot. The Pacers had a ton of success in the previous series when they drove and kicked. Expect less drive and kick opportunities against this switch scheme defense. There will be crucial stretches where backup point guard T.J. McConnell checks in and will need to spark a run. Siakam and Aaron Nesmith will likely draw the matchups against Tatum and Brown. They will have to hold their own individually because Boston has so much shooting, it will be difficult for the Pacers’ defense to double-team off Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, amongst other Celtics shooters.

For the Celtics, consistent dribble penetration is key. When any of their offensive players can dribble and drive past a defender, they keep opposing teams in rotation. This leads to kick-outs for three-pointers or Tatum and Brown free running to the basket. Against the fastest team in the league, if the Celtics are less aggressive on the offensive glass and they choose to set their defense more often than not, they will slow down the Pacers’ pace and control the game. From White to Holiday, the Celtics have a rangy group of defenders that can defend on an island without needing help. Staying out of rotation and forcing the Pacers role players to score off the dribble will play right into the hands of the Celtics.

Pacers and Celtics X-factor: Myles Turner and Kristaps Porzingis

Myles Turner is going to have to have a hot series from deep. On top of perimeter shooting, against a switch-heavy Celtics defense, Turner will have his chances to score inside against Boston’s guards. A healthy Kristaps Porzingis makes the Celtics nearly unbeatable. Not only does Porzingis provide three-point shooting, but his floor spacing also helps Tatum and Brown not see shot blockers the moment they step foot into the paint. 

Prediction:

Pacers in six.