The 2024 Eastern Conference Finals begin Tuesday evening with the Indiana Pacers taking on the Boston Celtics in Game 1. The Pacers have had just one day of rest between games, as they took down the Knicks on the road Sunday in Game 7 to advance. The Celtics have had some time off after defeating the Cavaliers in five games. Boston is the heavy favorite to advance in this series and has the 3-2 edge in the regular season meetings, but Indiana did win the knockout game between these two sides in the In-Season Tournament.
The Pacers are clean on the day-to-day injury front, with only Bennedict Mathurin out as he’s done for the year. Kristaps Porzingis remains out for the Celtics as he recovers from a calf strain. Bench big man Xavier Tillman is questionable with a personal issue.
The Celtics are 10-point favorites according to DraftKings Sportsbook with the total set at 221.5. Boston is -425 on the moneyline while Indiana is +330.
Pacers vs. Celtics, 8 p.m. ET
Pick ATS: Celtics -10
One of two things can happen with the Pacers here. After setting a playoff record for shooting percentage in a game Sunday, they could continue their hot streak as they’re likely still experiencing some of the high from that win. The other side of this is they regress to the mean and don’t have as much energy after giving it all in Game 7. The Celtics covered this line in two of their regular-season victories against the Pacers and more importantly, stormed past the Heat and Cavaliers in those respective Game 1s.
Indiana has enough depth to make up for some of the fatigue but I think Boston stands strong at home to open up the conference finals. The Celtics won’t overlook this Pacers side and should cover to start the series.
Over/Under: Over 221.5
Four of the five matchups in the regular season between these teams went over this line. Indiana’s offense exploded for 130 points in Sunday’s Game 7, and I do expect some regression in Game 1. The Celtics held both the Heat and Cavaliers to under 100 points in those respective Game 1s while topping 110 points themselves. I’ll take the over in this contest but I do think it’ll be a close call.