Pacers, Celtics Set For Eastern Conference Finals
Experience vs. Momentum
As the Eastern Conference Finals tip off, the Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics bring vastly different experiences to the series. The Pacers, who have never made it past the second round of the playoffs, are led by Pascal Siakam, the player with the most playoff experience on the roster. The Celtics, on the other hand, are making their third straight appearance in the conference finals and are looking to return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010.
High-Scoring Matchup
Both the Pacers and Celtics were among the highest-scoring teams in the NBA during the regular season. The Pacers led the league with 116.7 points per game, while the Celtics were second with 115.2 points per game. However, the Celtics also had the second-best defense in the league, allowing just 106.6 points per game, while the Pacers were 13th in the league, allowing 112.2 points per game.
Celtics Take Game 1
The Celtics took Game 1 of the series in dominant fashion, leading by as many as 53 points at one point. It was the Celtics' third-largest lead in the last 20 years and a sign that they are not taking the Pacers lightly. The Pacers were led by Siakam, who had 28 points and 10 rebounds, but they were unable to keep up with the Celtics' high-powered offense.
Game 2 Preview
Game 2 of the series will be played on Sunday, June 4th, at 8:30 PM ET on ESPN. The Pacers will need to find a way to slow down the Celtics' offense and get more production from their supporting cast if they want to tie the series. The Celtics will be looking to continue their dominance and take a 2-0 lead in the series.
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