Open Thread: A Spursian take on the Celtics and Pacers
A twist of fate may have laid the foundation for Boston to knock this out quickly
Game 1- Eastern Conference Finals: Boston Celtics host the Indiana Pacers.
This series kicked off when the first game went to overtime. That’s a great start for basketball fans hoping for a battle. The Celtics and Pacers were in striking distance throughout the entire game with late game tightrope moments determining the victor.
Admittedly, I was pumped about this series. When my daughter asked who I was rooting for I responded, “Whoever is behind. And when they take the lead, I’ll root for the other team. I want tight, down to the wire, next-level basketball with overtimes and a full seven-game series.”
Although the second game wasn’t as close, there were moments where it looked like anyone’s game, until Tyrese Haliburton left the game. Haliburton aggravated the hamstring that rendered him out for ten games last January.
Without Haliburton, the Boston Celtics taking the series feels inevitable. The question is — what tricks do the Pacers have up their sleeve to buy Haliburton a game?
As series shifts to Indianapolis tonight for Game 3, where the Pacers have been undefeated during the postseason, the hometown crowd could play an integral part in shaping how the players come onto the court. The energy could supplement a starting five without their All-Star point guard.
The Pacers will need heavy contributions from Nembhard, Nesmith, and Toppin, while having Pacal Siakam take a greater portion of the leadership. If Game 1 Myles Turner shows up, the Pacers could have a chance.
If Tyrese Haliburton can return after a game, the series is still contestable. But if he is not…
The Pacers maintaining that intensity and alignment for four games could be nearly impossible, but it could also be historic.
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