The stage is perfectly set for the Eastern Conference Finals. The Boston Celtics swept through the second round, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1 in five games. Celtics were waiting for the winner of a long-running Indiana Pacers – New York Knicks series, which the Pacers won on the road at Madison Square Garden in Game 7 to save its season. Boston will benefit from a few more days of recovery, allowing All-Star forward Kristaps Porzingis to recuperate from a calf strain. The Latvian power forward has been sidelined since Game 4 of the Celtics’ first-round series with the Miami Heat. He is still scheduled to miss Games 1 and 2, but there is hope for a return.
Indiana Pacers will travel straight to Boston on May 22, Wednesday to play Game 1, only getting one day off between games before the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics have appeared sluggish at times, but that hasn’t kept them from posting a playoff-best 8-2 record. They also have the highest net rating (12.8), the biggest average margin of victory (11.4), and the greatest point difference (+114).
Boston has handled its opponents with one 30-point win, two wins of at least 20 points, and two wins of at least 10 points. However, Boston will face its most difficult test yet in the Eastern Conference Finals. Playing against a Jimmy Butler-less Heat and a Donovan Mitchell-less Cavaliers is vastly different than facing a full-strength, fast-paced Pacers club.
Tyrese Haliburton will be the focus of this series. He hasn’t had the same offensive firepower as he did during the regular season, averaging only 18.3 points and 8.3 assists in the playoffs. He will be pursued by Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, but he must remain aggressive if the Pacers are to have a shot. Nonetheless, Boston appears to be on a fast track to the NBA Finals.
Tatum led the Celtics in overall points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks throughout their past series. He joined LeBron James as the only player to accomplish that record in the last four decades. He’s only getting started in the postseason, but he’s already gotten plenty of support from White and Jaylen Brown. Porzingis’ availability will have a significant impact on how many games this series lasts. If he can come back after the first two games, Boston may win in five. Given the looming uncertainties surrounding his health, it feels safer to say Celtics in six.
