2024 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals preview, prediction: Indiana Pacers v. Boston Celtics

Expect a lot of points when the NBA’s top two offenses from the regular season meet in the Eastern Conference Finals starting Tuesday night.

Boston had the best offense in the NBA with a balanced attack led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, an offense that took and took and made more 3-pointers than any other team in the league. Indiana is a fast-paced, high-octane attack led by the brilliant passing of Tyrese Haliburton, with scorers around him at every position.

Can one team get enough stops to win? Let’s break it all down.

Game 1 between the Celtics and Pacers is Tuesday, May 21, at 8:00 Eastern at the TD Garden in Boston. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

The NBA Finals tip off June 6, with the first game at the home of the team with the better regular-season record (Boston has the best record overall in the league and would have home court against anyone in the Finals).

The remainder of the NBA Finals games are: Game 2 June 9; Game 3 June 12, Game 4 June 14, Game 5 June 17, Game 6 June 20 and Game 7 June 23 (games 5-7 are if necessary).

All times are Eastern (* = if necessary).

Game 1: Pacers at Celtics, May 21 (8 ET, ESPN)
Game 2: Pacers at Celtics, May 23 (8 ET, ESPN)
Game 3: Celtics at Pacers, May 25 (8:30 ET, ABC)
Game 4: Celtics at Pacers, May 27 (8 ET, ESPN)
Game 5: Pacers at Celtics, May 29 (8 ET, ESPN)*
Game 6: Celtics at Pacers, May 31 (8 ET, ESPN)*
Game 7: Pacers at Celtics, June 2 (8 ET, ESPN)*

Boston’s starting center and a key part of what makes them elite on both ends of the court, Porzingis was out for the entire previous series against Cleveland. Al Horford stepped up in his absence and had a strong series — he provides the floor spacing and defense KP does, just not at the same level anymore — but long-term, Boston is at its best with Porzingis on the court.

Porzingis will be out the first two games of this series but is reportedly close to returning from the strained calf that has sidelined him. Expect him back at some point in this…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/2024-nba-playoffs-eastern-conference-181935307.html

Author : NBC Sports

Publish date : 2024-05-20 18:19:35

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