Indiana Backed Against the Wall For Game 3
Celtics vs Pacers Game 3 Prediction: Too Much Uncertainty in Indiana
The Boston Celtics did their job through the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals. Although Boston failed to cover in Game 1 of the series, the Celtics dominated in Game 2, jolting out to a 2-0 lead in the ECF with a 126-110 win. The Celtics score has reached at least 126 points in back-to-back games against Indiana.
The Pacers have performed much better at home throughout the playoffs.
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However, Tyrese Haliburton injured his hamstring late in Game 2 and now his status is uncertain leading up to Game 3. Head coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged that his absence hurt the team in Game 2. Therefore, if he’s unavailable for Game 3, the Pacers’ playoff journey could be in jeopardy.
With the uncertainty, the Celtics are still -7 on the road heading into Game 3. Meanwhile, the total is set at 222.5.
We’ll give our Celtics vs Pacers Game 3 prediction and picks below.
Celtics vs Pacers 
Records: Boston Celtics (74-20), Indiana Pacers (55-43)
Day/Time:
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN (Game 3)
Streaming: ABC
Celtics vs Pacers Game 3 prediction & Betting Trends
While the Pacers and Celtics have split the series 1-1 against the spread, Boston ultimately won both matchups, straight-up.
The Over hit in both NBA games. However, despite the totals being 223 and 224 in Games 1 and 2, respectively, Game 3’s total is 222.5. That’s even after the other two games went Over.
That said, Boston has defeated Indiana in seven of its last ten head-to-head games. The Over has also won six of the last ten head-to-head games, including the previous two postseason matchups.
Jaylen Brown Proved He Was Snubbed
Not only was Jaylen Brown the highest-paid player in the league, but he was also one of the best. This year, he scored 23 points and added 5.5 rebounds with 3.6 assists. He also helped lead the Celtics to first place in the Eastern Conference. But that wasn’t good enough for some voters. He was snubbed from making an All-NBA team.
After the snub, he exploded for 40 points and helped the Celtics dominate the Pacers in Game 2.
When asked if his 40-point game was motivated by the All-NBA snub, he acknowledged that he’s ultimately considering the Celtics’ being just two games away from the NBA Finals.
Pacers Gave Up In Game 2
The Pacers were only down 13 points, but Rick Carlisle decided to pull his starters early. Doug McDermott, who never played serious minutes in the NBA Playoffs this season, played the entire fourth quarter.
Other NBA players followed suit later in the fourth quarter.
Carlisle told the media that Indiana wasn’t giving up, but he wanted to examine McDermott, Jalen Smith, and Isaiah Jackson to see what they could bring.
While he says the Pacers weren’t giving up, he ultimately gave up once Carlisle learned Haliburton was done for the game.
That behavior certainly plays a factor in our Celtics vs Pacers Game 3 prediction.
Indiana’s Done
While the Pacers have played very well at home, it’s hard to imagine them finding a way against the Celtics. Boston struggled in that first game against the Pacers. They had to measure up to the Pacers and learn a little bit. Yet, the Celtics still escaped Game 1 with a victory.
In the first quarter of Game 2, it seemed like the Pacers would be another tough out for the Celtics. However, eventually, the Celtics made the right adjustments, got the proper feel, and destroyed the Pacers from the second quarter and on.
Indiana provided some false hope, but the Pacers struggled to find consistency once Haliburton didn’t return.
The Pacers typically don’t turn the ball over. They’ve led the NBA all year in limiting turnovers. However, the Celtics have forced at least 17.6% of turnovers in each game. They’ve also prevented the Pacers from getting to the foul line.
So Indiana has shot at least a 59.3% effective field goal percentage in both games, but the Pacers still lost in both games. It’s because the Pacers don’t do the little things well.
Indiana can score from anywhere on the floor. They’ve got great passers and plenty of teamwork. But if they can’t hold onto the basketball or get to the foul line, they can’t keep up with the Celtics.
In addition, Haliburton’s resurgence against the Knicks in the second round is ultimately why the Pacers are in the Eastern Conference Finals.
His status is in doubt for Game 3 and beyond. Without Haliburton running the show, winning any game in this series would be incredibly difficult for the Pacers.
On the other hand, the Celtics have shot just as well as the Pacers. The difference is Boston’s ability to limit turnovers better, get to the foul line more, and earn more offensive rebounds. Those are key areas where Boston destroys.
Beyond that, the Pacers’ effective field goal percentage could drop without Haliburton, who has been red-hot from the field over the last few games.
The Celtics have the most probability when looking at the NBA Championship odds. If it came down to it, they’d also have home-court advantage in the NBA Finals.
That said, the Celtics are trying to break NBA records. With a championship win, they’d add their 18th title, the most in NBA history.
Therefore, we’ll back the Celtics at -7 (-110) in Game 3 of this series.
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