Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers Predictions, Picks, Odds, and NBA Basketball Betting Preview – Eastern Conference Playoffs Round 1 Game 3 – April 19, 2019
The Indiana Pacers are now down in the series against the Boston Celtics, 2-0, but its not yet the end of the world for them. They have a chance to cut that series deficit in half this Friday, when they take their turn to play at home. Will the Celtics push Indiana to the edge? Or will the Pacers prevent falling down the dreaded 0-3 hole? View the latest NBA playoff series’ odds here.
Betting on the Boston Celtics (49-33 Regular Season)
The tandem of Jayson Tatum and Kyrie Irving are proving to be too much to handle for Indiana. Leaning on the exploits of the said tandem, the Celtics defeated Indiana in Game 2 at home on Wednesday, 99-91. Tatum churned out 26 points in Game 2 on 11-for-20 shooting from the field, while Irving led all scorers with 37 points to go with seven assists and six boards. Irving has so far made it abundantly clear that he is locked in these playoffs, as he’s averaging 28.5 points so far in the series with Indiana. But the Celtics’ mastery of the Pacers goes beyond Irving or any other Boston players’ contribution on offense. Boston’s defense is clearly the one doing most of the damage on the Pacers, who are averaging just 82.5 points per game these playoffs – the lowest among all teams that made it to the postseason.
The Celtics are 3-0 against the spread (ATS) in their last three road games, and are 25-23-2 ATS after a win this season, covering 52.1% of the time.
Betting on the Indiana Pacers (48-34 Regular Season)
If anyone has seen Myles Turner, please alert the authorities in Indiana, as the big man is missing so far in the playoffs. Turner had a letdown performance in Game 1, scoring just five points. Expected to bounce back with a better showing in Game 2, Turner instead put up another lamentable display of basketball, finishing with eight points and three rebounds. Already missing Victor Oladipo, the Pacers need all hands on deck to defeat Boston, especially Turner. If he continues to struggle on offense, at least he’ll have to make his presence felt under the glass and on defense around the rim. The Celtics are killing Indiana on the boards, as they have outrebounded the Pacers in the last two games, 116-86. If anything, at least Indiana regained its accuracy from deep in Game 2 in which the Pacers went 13-for-34 from behind the arc. Hitting those outside shots should loosen up Boston’s defense enough for Turner to get easier shots down low.
The over is 4-1 in Indiana’s last five home games.
