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Boston Celtics at Indiana Pacers Betting Preview

The Boston Celtics have a 2-0 series lead over the Indiana Pacers, but there hasn’t been much separation between these two teams all series long. Boston was able to take advantage of its home floor to win the first two games, and the Pacers hope to do the same back in Indianapolis. This has been the lowest scoring series of the first round so far, and don’t expect that to change going forward.

Boston has won each of the first two games by at least eight points, but they have both felt much closer than that. The Pacers had a lead for a large part of Game 2 but were unable to score enough points down the stretch. This series just feels like it will be one that will go the distance. The Pacers are a -3.0 point favorite over the Celtics at home in Game 3.

Celtics Defense Better Than Advertised

The Pacers were supposed to be the better defensive team in this series, but Boston has stepped up their play on that end of the floor. The Celtics are averaging just 5.5 steals per game, but they seem to be contesting every single shot.

Boston has held the Pacers to below 39 percent field goal shooting in the first two games, and their defense is good enough to win them a conference championship. The Celtics will likely employ the same game plan as the series shifts to Indy.

Kyrie Irving has been the main man for the Celtics so far in these playoffs, leading the team with 28.5 points and 7.0 assists per game. Jayson Tatum was the star for the Celtics during last year’s playoff run, and he has chipped in with more than 20 points per night in these playoffs. The Celtics have plenty of scoring options to fall back on if these two players can’t continue to produce.

Pacers Need Some Inside Scoring

The Indiana Pacers were one of the worst offensive teams in the league during the regular season, but the wheels have fallen off in the playoffs. Indiana is shooting just 31 percent from the three-point line, and they aren’t getting any production from their post players either.

Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner have combined to score just 10.5 points per game so far this series. Indiana is going to have to find some offense in a hurry.

The Pacers gave up just 104.7 points per game this season, which was the best mark in the NBA. Indiana has been even better than that so far in this series, but they have no answer for Irving and Tatum.

Thaddeus Young has eight steals already, but Irving has been able to get to the rim anytime he wants. Turner led the NBA in blocked shots this season, and he needs to get back to being an elite rim protector.

Indiana Gets Back in Series

Even though the Pacers have been horrible on offense all series long, that is going to change when they get back home. Indiana will be more comfortable, and they are going to start making some shots. The Celtics are still waiting for some of their pieces to play better, and they are going to give this one away. Bet the Indiana Pacers -3.0 over the Boston Celtics.

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