NBA Playoffs: (6) Indiana Pacers @ (1) Boston Celtics, Game 2

If Game 1 was any indication, then we could be in for quite the track meet in this Eastern Conference Final, particularly if the speed is played at the Pacers (47-35) liking. The highest-scoring team in the NBA, Indiana has reached their first ECF in a decade thanks to their ability to push the tempo and share the basketball, with their outstanding depth making it possible. In hindsight, (HC) Rick Carlisle's troop did everything but win the game on Tuesday night, where some crushing late turnovers (coupled with a dagger from the hosts) pushed the affair into overtime, where the visitors came up short in the 128-133 shootout. Indy shot 53.5% from the field, 13-of-35 from beyond the arc (37.1%), dished out 38 assists, and actually outrebounded the home side (44-43). However, 22 turnovers KILLED them in this one, which Boston turned into 32 points. (All-Star Point Guard) Tyrese Haliburton was excellent, becoming the third player in Pacers history to record 25+ points and 10+ assists in the Playoffs, while (veteran Center) Myles Turner did the bulk of his damage in the first half where he posted 18 of his 23 points.

Things to Know: The public doesn't appear very deterred from going back to the well with the Pacers, who did manage to cover the spread in Tuesday night's opener, with roughly 74% of all the bets wagered upon tonight's sequel siding with Haliburton & Co. Indiana has been more than a solid play ATS this season, owning a 52-42-2 record on that front, parlaying to a net profit of 5.27 units. Game 1 saw Carlisle's charges cover their third consecutive contest, marking the first time that they managed to do so since early January. Indy has covered 4 of their past 5 encounters with Boston. This is a team that has covered the spread in 5 straight games as a road underdog of 5.0-10.5 points. The Pacers dished out 38 assists for the twelfth time all season, though Tuesday's affair only their third loss when reaching that threshold. Historically, Indiana has only ever advanced past the ECF once in 8 tries, while never doing so after losing said series opener.

Playmaker to Watch: It would be easy to go with Haliburton here, folks, but we're interested in seeing how (veteran Forward) Pascal Siakam responds after a disappointing end to regulation. After Boston fouled Indiana to stop the clock with ten seconds left, Siakam attempted to receive a poor inbound pass that was deflected out of bounds, though it was ruled that the Cameroon International was the last to touch the rock. If that wasn't bad enough, the ensuing possession saw the man he was defending, Jaylen Brown (more on him in a bit), nail the game-tying trey from the corner. Rather than contesting the shot, Siakam opted to refrain from drawing a potential foul which could have led to a damning 4-point play. Now, don't get us wrong, this guy did a lot of good in Game 1, totaling 24 points on 12-of-23 shooting (52.2%), 12 rebounds, and 7 assists, but this game likely never makes it to overtime if he catches that inbound or fouls Brown before he has opportunity to get into a shooting motion.

Meanwhile, the Celtics (64-18) once again looked shaky at TD Garden, where they have coincidentally lost their only 2 games in these playoffs. Despite racing out to a 12-0 lead and stretching that margin out to 13 points early in the second half, Boston struggled mightily to put away the Pacers, and if not for a key late turnover followed by a clutch dagger from (All-NBA Guard) Jaylen Brown to send the game to overtime, they could be staring at an 0-1 deficit in the series. Thankfully OT belonged to (HC) Joe Mazzulla's outfit, as (All-NBA Forward) Jayson Tatum scored 10 of his 36 points in the extra period, with the bulk of their production coming from the charity stripe (7-of-7). In a game in which both teams totaled 30+ assists, the hosts saved themselves by feasting on Indiana's turnovers, manufacturing them into a staggering 32 points, including 10 within the final 5:30 of the game including OT. Now we'll see if this scare doesn't lead to bigger issues for not only have the Celtics' two postseason losses happened at home, but they happened in Game Two of the previous two series. In those affairs, Boston was outscored by an average of 17.0 points on 43.7% shooting, including 20-of-67 from downtown (29.8%), while shipping 50.2% shooting and 36-of-71 from three (50.7%), where they were outscored by a margin of 48 points.

Things to Know: The line may be shrinking, but the public doesn't appear to be convinced that the Celtics will cover, with approximately 33% of all the money wagered on tonight's affair residing with the team in green. Boston has been a big favorite (9+ points) on 47 occasions this season, but are 22-23-1 ATS when favored by 8.5 points or less. Mazzulla's charges are masters of winning without covering, with a difference of 26 games between their SU and ATS ledgers. Tatum & Co are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 meetings with the Pacers. The Celtics are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a SU win. The shamrocks were 24-of-30 from the free-throw line in Game 1, parlaying to a +15 advantage, as Tatum alone went 10-of-12. On the injury front, Mazzulla stated that (veteran Cetner) Kristaps Porzingis is expected to return from a right calf strain that has sidelined him since the end of the first round. The Latvian averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.9 blocks on shooting splits of 51.6%/37.5%/85.8% in his first campaign with the franchise. Historically, Boston 20-3 all-time in the ECF when winning the first game of said series.

Playmaker to Watch: Brown's heroics may have sent the game to OT, where Tatum sealed the deal, but the guy that we're watching is Jrue Holiday. The veteran Point Guard has been a MASSIVE addition to the Celtics this season, with his on-ball defense, perimeter shooting, and championship experience helping transform the Celtics' starting five into a juggernaut. Holiday erupted for a season-high 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting (62.5%), including 4-of-8 from three (50.0%), along with 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals. With that being said, he was invaluable on the defensive end where he really got after the aforementioned Haliburton, limiting the NBA's assist leader to 0-of-5 shooting with a pair of turnovers when personally guarding him.

Our Take: Pacers 123, Celtics 117