Celtics vs. Pacers live score: Updated Game 1 results, highlights from 2024 Eastern Conference Finals

The expectation for much of the 2023-24 NBA season has been that the Celtics would be playing basketball deep into the postseason. If Boston didn’t reach this stage, it would be a disappointment for a team that won 64 games in the regular season.

The same cannot be said of the Pacers. Indiana entered the NBA Playoffs as the No. 6 seed, just managing to avoid the play-in tournament. The team faced a treacherous path to this point, one that went through the No. 3 Bucks, then the No. 2 Knicks.

Yet here are the underdog Pacers, the last team standing between the heavily favored Celtics and the NBA Finals.

STREAM: Watch the NBA Playoffs on Sling TV

The Pacers and Celtics had a narrow season series, with Boston ultimately claiming a 3-2 advantage. The matchup figures to be high-scoring, with both teams having reached at least 100 in every meeting so far this season. Boston had the largest margin of victory between the two teams, with a 155-104 victory on Nov. 1.

Sporting News is tracking results and highlights from the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals. Follow for updates from Game 1 of Celtics vs. Pacers.

Celtics vs. Pacers score 1Q2Q3Q4QFinalPacers31——–Celtics34——–Celtics vs. Pacers live score, results, highlights(All times Eastern)

Second quarterCeltics 47, Pacers 37

8:50 p.m.: Huge one-handed jam by Myles Turner to cut into Boston’s lead at 43-37. But the Celtics respond with back-to-back baskets from Brown and Jrue Holiday, and the Pacers use their third timeout.

Myles Turner down the lane with AUTHORITY 😤 pic.twitter.com/a8u9AfsS8R

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 22, 20248:46 p.m.: Payton Prichard already has both of Boston’s baskets in the second quarter, starting with a 3-pointer then making a pullup jumper from nine feet out to push the Boston lead to 39-33.

First quarter8:39 p.m.: Obi Toppin ends the first quarter with a steal, a 3-pointer then a layup with 19 seconds left to make it a three-point game at the end of the first quarter. He’s already up to 11 points, while Brown leads the Celtics with 10.

Celtics still holding a 34-31 lead, but Indiana’s offense has quickly woken up, and htat has come despite Haliburton going just 1-for-2.

Celtics 29, Pacers 20

8:34 p.m.: Pacers have already used two timeouts, the latest coming after a floater by Brown. After starting the game 0-for-6 from the field, Indiana has since gone 8-for-12. But Boston is shooting 12-for-20 and has only one turnover to Indiana’s three.

8:28 p.m.: Pacers come out of the timeout with some momentum, going on a 7-2 run to make it a 14-7 game. Jayson Tatum drove in for a layup, then Tyrese Haliburton is left wide open for an easy 3-pointer from 26 feet out to make it a 10-16 game. 

Pacers showing quickly how easy it is for that offense to heat up.

Celtics 12, Pacers 0

8:21 p.m.: Just a brutal start for Indiana. Pacers are 0-for-5 with a pair of turnovers, and after a Horford 3-pointer, the Celtics are up 12-0 while shooting 66.7 percent from the field. 

8:17 p.m.: The call is overturned, so no basket for the Pacers. Give Horford a block early on Siakam.

8:15 p.m.: Not an ideal start for the Pacers, who turn the ball over right away leading to a Jaylen Brown dunk. Pascal Siakam’s shot on the other end is credited as goaltending by Al Horford, but Joe Mazzulla challenges right away. Looks like a good block.

Exciting start to the Eastern Conference Finals 🍿

Tatum comes up with the steal… Brown hammers it home!

Game 1 is underway on ESPN pic.twitter.com/qqTizsKNNM

— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2024Pregame8:13 p.m.: Just about time to get this Game 1 underway.

7:39 p.m.: ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Kristaps Porzingis will be out both Game 1 and 2 in Boston, but there is a chance he could return in time for Game 4, which would be in Indiana.

7:20 p.m.: Key players getting ready ahead of tonight’s game.

Tyrese Haliburton getting ready for Game 1 of the ECF 👀 pic.twitter.com/u8yfwDrBZd

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 21, 2024The Jays are getting locked in 🔒 pic.twitter.com/eyM62WoBZC

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 21, 20246:57 p.m.: Another quarterback is pulling for a different squad. 49ers QB Brock Purdy is rooting for the Pacers and Tyrese Haliburton. Both Purdy and Haliburton spent their college days at Iowa State from 2018-20, though Purdy stayed through 2021.

Brock Purdy is rooting for his friend Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers in the NBA playoffs 👏 pic.twitter.com/ta4J5FZYj7

— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) May 21, 20246:50 p.m.: The latest franchise quarterback for the Patriots is in the house, with Drake Maye sitting courtside for the Celtics’ playoff game tonight.

Drake Maye getting the full Boston experience and sitting courtside for Celtics vs. Pacers ☘️ 🌆 pic.twitter.com/hlK2XrKbkF

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 21, 2024Celtics vs. Pacers start timeDate: Tuesday, May 21Time: 8 p.m. ETThe Celtics and Pacers will tip off at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 21, with the game slated to be played at TD Garden in Boston.

How to watch Celtics vs. PacersTV channel: ESPN/ESPN2Live stream: SlingThe Celtics vs. Pacers matchup will be carried by ESPN and ESPN2 in the United States and Sportsnet in Canada. U.S. viewers can also stream the game on Sling.

Sling is the home for sports fans, offering various channels. You can always cheer for your favorite teams on channels like ESPN, TBS, TNT, NFL Network, FS1 and more.

Celtics vs. Pacers odds for Game 1Here are the latest Celtics-Pacers odds for Game 1, courtesy of BetMGM an authorized gaming operator of the NBA.

Boston is favored by 10.5 points and is -450 against the moneyline. A -450 moneyline would mean a $100 bet would pay out $122.22.

Series tied 0-0CelticsPacersSpread-10.5+10.5Moneyline-450+350O/U totalO 222.5 (-110)U 222.5 (-110)Check out BetMG to see the latest NBA Playoff odds for every series including updated odds to win the NBA Finals.

Celtics vs. Pacers schedule, scores, resultsGameDateSiteTime (ET)TV Channel/Live stream1May 21Boston8 p.m.ESPN, Sling2May 23Boston8 p.m.ESPN, Sling3May 25Indianapolis8:30 p.m.ABC, Sling4May 27Indianapolis8 p.m.ESPN, Sling5*May 29Boston8 p.m.ESPN, Sling6*May 31Indianapolis8 p.m.ESPN, Sling7*June 2Boston8 p.m.ESPN, Sling* – If necessary