Boston Celtics (64-18) vs. Indiana Pacers (47-35)
As the Eastern Conference Finals progress, the Boston Celtics, with a commanding regular season record of 64-18, face off against the Indiana Pacers, who posted a respectable 47-35. This matchup is crucial as the Celtics lead the series 1-0, with the next game slated for Saturday, May 25, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. With high stakes in the postseason, this game could be a turning point in the series, making it a hot topic for NBA Finals free picks today.
Celtics’ has had stable performance throughout the season they have an average of 120.6 points and shot 48.7% from the field. Their tactics to penetrate deep into the opponent’s territory are garnished in the twenty three-point field goals they hit per game on a shooting percentage of 38.8%. Defensively, they are almost equally solid, collecting 46.3 rebounds on average and being rather ruthless with 6.8 steals and 6.6 blocks per game on average. However, except for the fact that they average 11.3 turnovers per game, this team does not seem to have too many weak links that the Pacers can easily pounce on.
The Pacers, on the respective hand, have proved that they can get even more points scoring at a rate of 123.3 points per game. They have surpassed the Celtics in shooting efficiency recording a 50.7% field goal percentage and are good from the three-point line having recorded a 37.4% percentage. Thanks to that, the team has an effective attacking play supported by their helping skills, and they are leading at 30.8 assists per game. Although the recent team is very aggressive in its plays, they present a high discreteness level in turnovers and fouls that may be a problem when facing a well-disciplined team like the Celtics.
Boston Celtics vs. Indiana Pacers Game Info
| When: | Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 8:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Gainbridge Fieldhouse |
| TV: | ABC |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Jayson Tatum (SF) vs. Pascal Siakam (PF)
Jayson Tatum has been a rock for the Celtics this season starting in all the games he has played 74 and is averaging 26.9 points. These qualities clearly show that he is able to rebound well as well as participate in the performance of assist plays. Although he averages a tremendous amount of points and rebounds, his turnover per game and foul frequency are question marks in high stress situations.
Pascal Siakam after a brief season interrupted by injury has proved his worth contributing 21.3 points and seven rebounds in the 41 games he has played. His shooting percentage from the field is essential, nevertheless his slightly higher free throws rate could be an issue against the Celtics’ physical style of play.
Regarding the face-off, two partisans are ready to face each other with different advantages. While Tatum is more of a multi-faceted sharpshooter in the flow of offense, Siakam is an elite, efficient scoring big man and a dominant rebounder who affects games a lot.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds for the game are yet to be determined, but given the Celtics’ consistent performance and home-court advantage, they might be slight favorites. The total points for the game will be critical, considering both teams have had games trending over in recent matchups.
Boston Celtics Betting Trends
The Celtics have been a good team all season but have been questionable against the spread and particularly on the road, they are a 19-19 team. Generally speaking, their actions in the previous matches have contributed to surpassing the total point line, so the upcoming match against the Pacers might prove to be more productive.
Indiana Pacers Betting Trends
Recently the Pacers have been sharp, performing a 4-1 record in their last five games. They have also met the spread in two of these games. This is due to the such games ending up over the total points; a factor that should be a plus to their high-scoring average.
Boston Celtics vs. Indiana Pacers 5/25/24 Betting Picks
The Celtics have shown resilience and strategic depth, which might give them the edge in Game 3. However, the Pacers’ high scoring and ability to push the pace could challenge the Celtics’ defense. Based on these trends, this game might be closer than expected.
In terms of betting, the Celtics might be the safer bet, but the Pacers could provide value, especially with the point spread. Consider prop bets on player performance, particularly Tatum and Siakam, and the over/under, given both teams’ recent scoring trends. The best live betting opportunities might arise from quarter-to-quarter scoring changes and in-play adjustments. This prediction reflects the expected intensity and competitiveness of the game, with both teams poised to battle fiercely in this crucial playoff matchup.
