Celtics-Pacers Eastern Conference Finals preview, odds and prediction

Celtics-Pacers Eastern Conference Finals preview, odds and prediction originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Eastern Conference Finals matchup is set. The Boston Celtics will take on the Indiana Pacers with a berth in the 2024 NBA Finals at stake.

This is the seventh time in playoff history that these teams will square off. All of the previous six series were in the first round, and the Celtics won four of them.

The Celtics will be well-rested entering this series. They eliminated the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of the second round on May 15. They will have had five days of rest before Game 1 on Tuesday. The Pacers needed to overcome a 3-2 series deficit and win a Game 7 on the road at Madison Square Garden to eliminate the New York Knicks in the second round.

The C’s are used to this stage and the pressure that comes with it. They are making their sixth conference finals appearance in the last eight years. The Pacers are in the conference finals for the first time since 2014.

The Pacers have some young players filling key roles, led by 24-year-old star Tyrese Haliburton. But this group does have some important veterans with lots of experience.

Myles Turner is in his ninth season. Pascal Siakam is in his eighth campaign and has played 66 career playoff games. He was one of the Toronto Raptors’ best players during their 2019 championship run. Backup point guard T.J. McConnell is a nine-year veteran. And head coach Rick Carlisle won a title as a player (1986 Celtics) and has coached 140 playoff games. He was the Dallas Mavericks head coach when they won the 2011 NBA Finals.

The Pacers had no fear in Game 7 at MSG. They had no fear on their run to the in-season tournament championship game. You can bet they won’t be afraid of the Celtics, either.

Both teams are close to full strength. The Pacers don’t have any significant injuries. The Celtics reportedly won’t have Kristaps Porzingis to start the series.

Here’s our full preview of the conference finals, including a series prediction.

Series scheduleThe Eastern Conference Finals begin Tuesday in Boston. There’s just one day of rest between each game.

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