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Jrue Holiday’s heroics on both ends of the floor late in Game 3 allowed the Boston Celtics to escape with a 114-111 win over the Indiana Pacers. The Cs summoned their much-maligned championship poise to overcome an 18-point lead to take a 3-0 stranglehold on the series. Kristaps Porzingis remains out so the Celtics will try to close out the series without the Latvian in the starting lineup.
The Pacers nearly bucked Tyrese Haliburton’s absence two nights ago but wilted towards the end. Haliburton reportedly pushed to play but was shut down by team officials. Indiana will be desperately hoping that the All-NBA guard will be available in the must-win game.
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The Boston Celtics defense showed up just in time to get the W and reach the brink of another NBA Finals appearance. Boston was down 0-3 in last year’s Eastern Conference finals so it knows how quickly the series can change. Jayson Tatum and Co. will have to be all business and not mind the 3-0 series lead.
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Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers: Preview, prediction and betting tips
Gainbridge Fieldhouse will again host the game between the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers. ESPN will air the showdown as it happens while basketball fans can also stream the action by subscribing to the NBA League Pass.
Moneyline: Celtics (-300) vs. Pacers (+240)
Spread: Celtics (-7.5) vs. Pacers (+7.5)
Total (O/U): Celtics (o222.5 -110) vs. Pacers (u222.5 -110)
Editor’s Note: The odds could change closer to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of the writing.
Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers: Game preview
In a battle between two high-octane offenses, the Boston Celtics know they have got something a bit more on the defense. They came up with a string of stops after the Pacers torched them in almost every possible way. The No. 1 team in the regular season record-wise will be tough to beat if it can slow down Indiana’s attack.
Boston’s core knows how tough it is to close out a series so the roster should be ready to face an even tougher test from the desperate hosts.
The Indiana Pacers are down 3-0 but they could also have been easily up 2-1 in the series. Games 1 and 3 were almost in the bag before late-game errors, poor shot selections and Boston’s poise trumped them. Whether Tyrese Haliburton is cleared to play or not, the home team will have to put everything on the line to survive.
Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers: Starting lineups, subs and rotations
PF - Jayson Tatum, C - Al Horford, PG - Jrue Holiday, PG - Derrick White and SG - Jaylen Brown will again open the game for the Boston Celtics.
With Luke Kornet questionable, Payton Pritchard could again get the sixth-man role for the Celtics. Xavier Tillman might get a shot if the veteran Horford gets in foul trouble.
PF - Pascal Siakam, C - Myles Turner, SF - Aaron Nesmith, PG - Andrew Nembhard and PG - Ben Sheppard will line up to tip-off for the Indiana Pacers.
T.J. McConnell, who had an incredible Game 3 performance, might be inserted early by Rick Carlisle if the rookie Sheppard struggles. Obi Toppin is also a candidate to come in first to guard Jayson Tatum.
Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers: Betting tips
Andrew Nembhard gets a 15.5 over/under points prop in Game 4. Nembhard opened eyes two nights ago with a career-high 32 points, 21 of which came in the first half. He should still be pissed off about his error that cost Indiana the game. Whether Haliburton plays or not, he is likely to top 15 points on Monday.
Jayson Tatum has a 29.5 over/under points prop in Game 4. “JT” has been extremely deliberate with how he has played versus the Pacers. He has rarely forced anything which has opened the game for him. Tatum has had some big close-out games and might have another one on Monday to get past his points prop.
Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers: Prediction
The Boston Celtics have been repeatedly staggered in the series against the Indiana Pacers but always manage to survive. Boston’s defense has been answering the bell whenever the team is in desperate need of stops. The Cs can’t afford to relax one bit as the Pacers have shown how capable they are of beating them.
The Pacers can’t think of Game 5 on Monday. They will have to play the game one possession at a time. Poise and grit will be even more needed now so a repeat of what happened in Games 1 and 3 will not be duplicated.
It will be another end-to-end action between two lethal offenses but Boston’s defense has been stout when it has to. The Celtics could reach another NBA Finals but allow the Pacers to cover the +7.0 spread.
