After a long wait, the Boston Celtics finally know their Eastern Conference finals opponent, and it’s not who they expected. The Indiana Pacers upset the Knicks on Sunday and will head to Boston as considerable underdogs, with the Celtics favored to win the series at -900 at DraftKings. Underdog bettors can get the Pacers for +215 at FanDuel.
Celtics vs. Pacers Game 1 odds have Boston and Indiana , with total points at .
The Pacers got here by upsetting the Bucks in the first round and then knocking off the Knicks despite falling behind three games to two. However, each series had a similar theme, as the Pacers’ opponents were dealing with multiple injuries. That will be the case once again, as the Celtics are still without their star center Kristaps Porzingis.
Even without Porzingis, the Celtics have handled each of their two playoff series, winning 4-1. The theme for the Celtics has been their explosive offense, as the Heat and then the Cavaliers simply could not keep up with their potent scoring. Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals is set for Tuesday, with tip-off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
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Celtics vs. Pacers series price
The Celtics begin the series as the favorites. The best value odds for the Boston Celtics to win the series can be found at DraftKings (-900). You can find the best value odds for the Pacers to win the series at FanDuel (+710).
Celtics vs. Pacers Game 1 spread, total, moneyline
Check out the live odds for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals Pacers vs. Celtics at the best online sports betting sites
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Celtics vs. Pacers Game 1 prediction
The Celtics open the series and Game 1 as favorites, but it is fair to question whether they might have a little rust after a five-day layoff between their Game 5 win over Cleveland and Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. The Pacers and Knicks going to seven games was good for Boston, as they are still waiting for the return of Kristaps Porzingis.
Multiple reports have said that Porzingis will miss the first two games of the series but that the Celtics are hopeful he will return at some point. In a best-case scenario, if Porzingis can return in Game 3, it will be very important for Indiana to steal at least one game in Boston. The Pacers cannot afford to go down 2-0 and then allow the Celtics get a boost with a return from their star center.
Looking at Game 1, the Celtics were almost double-digit favorites when the odds came out. Indiana is not a good defensive team, ranking 13th (118.1) for defensive rating among 16 playoff teams. The teams ranking 14 (Milwaukee Bucks), 15 (New York Knicks) and 16 (Phoenix Suns) are all eliminated. Two of the three teams ranked below the Pacers for defense are teams the Pacers eliminated.
The Celtics are third in defensive rating and boast a very strong offense. The Pacers will have to step it up defensively in this series because they will have a hard time trying to win shootouts against the Celtics. Boston has three players averaging over 18 points a game in the playoffs.
Jayson Tatum (24.3 PPG), Jaylen Brown (23.1 PPG) and Derrick White (18.2 PPG) have all had games over 30 points this postseason. Game 1 may see the Celtics start slow, shaking off a little rust, but the Pacers will struggle defensively and watch the Celtics run away with it in the second half.
Prediction: Celtics
Celtics vs. Pacers series prediction
As mentioned, the Pacers have gotten some easier matchups than anticipated due to injuries from opponents in the playoffs. Even in Game 7 against the Knicks, New York appeared to be making a run and had a chance for a huge comeback. Then Jalen Brunson broke his hand, and that was that.
Even though the Pacers face yet another opponent missing a starter, the Celtics will be by far the best opponent the Pacers have played in the postseason. Indiana and Boston played five times in the regular season, with the Celtics winning three times. Notably, the average margin of victory for the Celtics was 24.3 points, while the Pacers’ average margin was only six. The Pacers will get hot for a game or two, but the Celtics should win this series even if it takes six or seven games.
Best bet for Celtics vs. Pacers series: OVER 5.5 total games
The Pacers have been underdogs in both of their playoff series but are still alive. While we expect the Celtics to advance to the NBA finals, we think this series will go at least six games and you can bet OVER 5.5 total games in this series at DraftKings (+145).