Pacers-Celtics Eastern Conference Finals Series Preview

NBA Playoffs 2024: Pacers vs. Celtics Eastern Conference Finals Preview, Betting Odds

The NBA playoffs roll along as the red-hot Indiana Pacers meet the Boston Celtics in the NBA Eastern Conference Final. Indiana defeated the Milwaukee Bucks and injury-plagued New York Knicks to advance. While the Celtics dismissed the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Let's dive into the Pacers-Celtics series history and all the betting odds for what will be an entertaining affair.

2024 NBA Playoff Previews: Conference Finals

(Related Link) NBA Playoff Betting History: Key Trends, Tips

Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Series Winner Odds

TeamMoneyline
Indiana Pacers+680
Boston Celtics-1200

As they have been all postseason long, the Celtics are heavily favored to win the Eastern Conference Final. These teams have met in six first round playoff series since 1991, with the Celtics emerging victorious in four of the matchups. Indiana defeated Boston in both 2004 and 2005, with the Celtics defeating the Pacers in the latest iteration, a 2019 first-round sweep.

Boston's -1200 series price is the third largest in a Conference Finals in the last 30 years, behind only the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers and 1997 Chicago Bulls.

Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Hub

Pacers vs Celtics Series Schedule

GameDateTime (ET)Arena
Game 1May 21, 20248 p.m.TD Garden
Game 2May 23, 20248 p.m.TD Garden
Game 3May 25, 20248:30 p.m.Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Game 4May 27, 20248 p.m.Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Game 5 (If Necessary)May 29, 20248 p.m.TD Garden
Game 6 (If Necessary)May 31, 20248 p.m.Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Game 7 (If Necessary)June 2, 20248 p.m.TD Garden

 

Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Series Total Games Odds

Total GamesOdds
4 Games+310
5 Games+140
6 Games+290
7 Games+400

Oddsmakers have little faith in the Pacers winning more than one contest against the juggernaut Celtics. The 2024 Eastern Conference Final is expected to go no more than five games.

Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Series Prediction Odds

Series OutcomeOdds
Boston Celtics 4-0+320
Boston Celtics 4-1+155
Boston Celtics 4-2+410
Boston Celtics 4-3+500
Indiana Pacers 4-0+10000
Indiana Pacers 4-1+4700
Indiana Pacers 4-2+1700
Indiana Pacers 4-3+2600

Sportsbooks believe the Celtics will wrap this series up in five games, as they have each of their first two NBA playoff series. However, if you believe the Pacers can win even one more contest, there's a ton of value on Boston to win the series 4-2 at +410 odds.

Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics 2023-24 Spread and Total Betting History

DateSpread & Score ResultTotal Points & Result
Nov 1, 2023Indiana 104 @ Boston 155 (-13) Celtics CoverO/U 233.5  (259 OVER)
Dec 4, 2023Boston 112 (-4.5) @ Indiana 122 Pacers CoverO/U 245 (234 UNDER)
January 6, 2024Boston 118 (-7) @ Indiana 101 Celtics CoverO/U 250 (219 UNDER)
January 8, 2024Boston 131 (-3) @ Indiana 133 Pacers CoverO/U 246.5 (264 OVER)
January 30, 2024Boston (-8) 129 @ Indiana 124 Pacers CoverO/U 249 (253 UNDER)

While Boston prevailed in a monumental blowout to begin the season, that was nearly seven months ago. Indiana managed to claw their way back and cover in three of the five matchups this season, winning two of them.

The Pacers have gone an impressive 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games against the Celtics. However, Indiana is just 1-10 SU in their last 11 games at TD Garden.

Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Player To Watch: Tyrese Haliburton

Games (vs. Celtics  )PTSFG%3P%REBASTSTLBLK
415.841.132.15.391.80.0

Haliburton lit up the Knicks in their second round series, averaging 21 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds on 53.8% shooting and 43.9% from deep across the seven game series. He'll need to conjure up some more magic in the Eastern Conference Final for his Pacers to have any hope of pulling off a monumental upset.

The all-star point guard struggled against the Celtics tenacious defense this season. Hali will need to operate at the very peak of his creative powers throughout this series to give his team a chance.

Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Odds To Win Eastern Conference Most Valuable Player

PlayerOdds
Jayson Tatum-220
Jaylen Brown+350
Tyrese Haliburton+1100
Derrick White+1400
Pascal Siakam+1900
Jrue Holiday+7000
Payton Pritchard+11000
Myles Turner+14000
Andrew Nembhard+38000
Aaron Nesmith+38000

He's long been the favorite to win NBA Finals MVP, so it's no surprise to see Jayson Tatum atop the Larry Bird Trophy odds.

At these odds, there's no reason to wager on anyone but Tatum or Brown. If you have a strong conviction (for whatever reason) that the Pacers will pull off the upset, the odds on Indiana winning in six games (+1700) and seven games (+2600) are much better than a Tyrese Haliburton Eastern Conference Finals MVP ticket.

Odds To Win NBA Championship

TeamOdds To Win NBA Finals
Indiana Pacers+2300
Boston Celtics-160

At this point, it's Celtics or bust for many NBA Championship bettors.

Boston has been the favorite to list the Larry O'Brien trophy since before the NBA playoffs tipped off, and there's little reason to doubt them at this point. The battle-hardened Celtics have made four of the last five Eastern Conference Finals and seem ready to take the next step in 2024.

Expert Prediction: Boston Celtics to Win Series 4-2 (+410)

Indiana just put together the hottest shooting Game 7 in NBA history, knocking down 67% of field goals and 13-of-24 three-pointers.

However, that came against the brutally injured New York Knicks, who had lost the majority of their starting lineup and half their bench by the time Game 7 rolled around. The Eastern Conference Finals bring the juggernaut Boston Celtics to town. Joe Mazzulla's squad lead the NBA playoffs with a +11.3 point differential. They also sit first in three-point percentage differential (+3.8), rebounding differential (+9.1), and blocks per game differential (+3).

Should Boston play anywhere close to the same level of basketball they've displayed in the first round rounds, they will advance to the NBA Finals with ease. That being said, the Celtics have been susceptible to hot shooting performances from opposing ball clubs this postseason. Indiana has the scoring depth and flame-throwing prowess from deep to make this a competitive series. I like Indiana to win two games at home before the Celtics put the rubber stamp on this Eastern Conference Finals in six games.

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