The remaining two teams in the east had an entertaining second round. Boston and Indiana were more committed and better coached than Cleveland and New York. The Celtics look unstoppable and the Pacers are on a roll led by coach Rick Carlisle. It’s the first time since 2011 Carlisle has both won a series and coached a team to a conference finals. They’re rewarded with a conference finals matchup against the league’s best team in Boston, who easily dispatched their first two opponents. One of these two determined franchises must advance to the championship round. Time to break down which one has the best chance to represent the east in the finals.
#6 Indiana Pacers v. #1 Boston Celtics
After two easy series, Boston finally plays a fully healthy opponent. Indiana may have gone a full seven game series against the injured Knicks, but the roster’s surging at the best time. The league’s best offense has maintained their high scoring despite playing shaky defense at times.
The Pacers have solid depth with forwards Obi Toppin and Doug McDermott. Without center Kristaps Porzingis the first two games, the Celtics will rely on their guard quartet of Jayson Tatum, Peyton Pritchard, Derrick White and Jaylen Brown to score more. Backup veteran center Al Horford could struggle against Indiana’s Myles Turner on both sides of the ball, so the Pacers have to take advantage of their matchups in the first three games if they want to be in the championship round.
Boston has reached the conference finals six of the last seven years, advancing to the finals just once. Indiana’s a great offensive team but inexperienced despite coach Rick Carlisle being in the conference and championship round last decade. Franchise star Jayson Tatum can easily pick the Pacers defense apart with or without Kristaps Porzingis in the lineup. It will be a fun series, but there’s little doubt who wins.
Prediction: Celtics win the conference and the series 4-2
Eastern conference playoff picks record after two rounds: 5-1
JD's Sportscorner 