The Boston Celtics take on the Pacers in the first post-All-Star break matchup of the part of the NBA schedule with the most postseason implications. With the Bucks neck and neck with Boston, the battle for first place in the east is now in the process of being decided.
Indiana is in the Play-in race, though they merely added pieces (George Hill, Serge Ibaka, Jordan Nwora) along the fringes at the trade deadline instead of being aggressive. The Bulls and Raptors, the two teams ahead of them, were more aggressive in moving up in the standings.
Does that mean the Pacers will take a step back? Well, that’s on 2023 All-Star Tyrese Haliburton, rising star Bennedict Mathurin, and the rest of a strong supporting cast of oft-mentioned but never traded-for Celtics target Myles Turner, Buddy Hield, and 2020 Boston lottery pick Aaron Nesmith. Here’s how the two teams stack up for their February 24 matchup:
Indiana Pacers: 23rd (ORtg), 22nd (DRtg), 8th (Pace), 25th (NRtg)
Boston Celtics: 3rd (ORtg), 5th (DRtg), 20th (Pace), 1st (NRtg)
(h/t 8 Points, 9 Seconds)
Boston Celtics Projected Starting Lineup
PG – Marcus Smart, SG – Derrick White, SF – Jaylen Brown, PF – Jayson Tatum, C – Al Horford
Indiana Pacers Projected Starting Lineup
PG – Tyrese Haliburton, SG Andrew Nembhard, SF – Buddy Hield, PF – Aaron Nesmith, C – Myles Turner
(h/t 8 Points, 9 Seconds)
Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers Injury Report
Pacers SG Kendall Brown (lower leg) – Game-time decision
Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers Prediction
The spread is heavily in the favor of the Boston Celtics. With the Cs making one strategic move at the trade deadline in acquiring Mike Muscala from the Thunder for no meaningful assets, Boston’s front office gave the team a big vote of confidence.
It comes with good reason. The Cs have performed to a league-best standard and have survived injuries through the team’s depth.
Against Indiana, Boston will be facing several sharpshooters at home, so this may be close. Ultimately, the Celtics are on a mission, and in order to get there, they need to get up for big games.
Kicking off the post-All-Star break sprint to the postseason is a start.
Celtics 121 Pacers 116