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Plenty of offense on tap as Celtics, Pacers meet in East finals
When the Indiana Pacers roll into Boston to take on the Celtics for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals on Tuesday night, get ready for a real show. Both teams have been lighting up the scoreboard all season and throughout the playoffs, so fans can expect plenty of action.
Offensive Powerhouses
The Pacers, coming in as the sixth seed, led the NBA in scoring during the regular season with a jaw-dropping 123.3 points per game. Not far behind, the top-seeded Celtics averaged 120.6 points per game, placing them second. These numbers pretty much guarantee a high-scoring and exciting series.
Key Performers
Indiana Pacers: The Pacers have been on a tear, setting an NBA playoff record by shooting 67.1 percent from the field in their decisive Game 7 win over the New York Knicks, ending at 130-109. Tyrese Haliburton led the charge with 26 points in that game. Over the regular season, Haliburton averaged 20.1 points per game, while Pascal Siakam, who joined the team midseason, has been the playoff scoring leader with 21.2 points per game.
Boston Celtics: The Celtics’ success hinges on their dynamic duo, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Tatum is averaging 24.3 points and 10.4 rebounds in the playoffs, with Brown adding 23.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Their ability to perform under pressure has been a game-changer for Boston.
Team Dynamics and Contributions
The Pacers’ success comes from their team-first mentality. Despite having several high-scoring players, there’s no ego here. Myles Turner emphasized how special this group is, praising Siakam’s leadership and defensive skills since he joined the team.
Playoff Journeys
Indiana Pacers: The Pacers have been on fire, first taking down the Milwaukee Bucks and then the New York Knicks. They’ve scored over 140 points 11 times this season, showing off their offensive depth and consistency.
Boston Celtics: Boston took care of the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers, wrapping up both series in five games. Even without Kristaps Porzingis, who’s out with a calf injury, the Celtics have kept a 5-1 playoff record in his absence, proving they’ve got depth and resilience.
Injury Concerns
The Celtics will start the series without center Kristaps Porzingis, who’s sidelined for at least the first two games due to a calf injury from Game 4 against Miami. Despite this, the team has adapted well, showing they can still perform at a high level without him.
Eager Anticipation
Jrue Holiday shared how pumped the team is to get back on the court after a break, highlighting their readiness for Game 1. The Celtics are keen to use their home-court advantage and set the tone for the series.
Conclusion
The Eastern Conference finals between the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers promise to be a thrilling, high-scoring showdown. Both teams pack serious offensive talent and strategic depth, setting the stage for an epic series. Despite some injury hurdles, star players like Tatum, Brown, Haliburton, and Siakam are ready to step up, ensuring fans will witness some spectacular basketball.
