The Indiana Pacers are taking on the Boston Celtics tonight in Game 2 of their playoff series, and the Pacers are getting +9 points. Can Indy recover from a disastrous choke at the end of Game 1, or will the Celtics take a commanding 2-0 series lead?
Pacers' Prolific Offense Makes Them Live
First off, let's talk about the Pacers' offense. Tyrese Haliburton has been absolutely balling, running the show with his elite playmaking and shooting. This guy is a walking double-double and can break down defenses with ease. The Pacers might not have quite the star power of the Celtics, but they play a fast-paced, team-oriented game that's very tough to defend. They spread the floor, move the ball well, and can catch fire from beyond the arc which is something that has happened often to the Celtics in the last few years in the playoffs.
Celtics' Game 2 Struggles
Over the last couple of post-seasons, the Celtics have had a tendency to stumble in Game 2 of a series. They often come out flat and fail to make the necessary adjustments after a big Game 1 win where they look invincible. While the Celtics are a well-coached team, their game-to-game adjustments haven't always been on point, and that opens the door for the Pacers to exploit some weaknesses thanks to the savvy coaching of Rick Carlisle. I wouldn't be surprised if we see something similar tonight.
Pacers' Turnover Troubles
In Game 1, the Pacers shot the ball exceptionally well but still came up short due to their 21 turnovers. That's simply too many giveaways, especially against a team like the Celtics. The good news is that turnovers are fixable. If the Pacers can clean that up and take better care of the basketball, they'll have a much better chance of staying in the game. They don't need to shoot lights out again; they just need to play smarter, and I think this is feasible given that Game 1 was right after their emotional Game 7 road win.
Conclusion
We know the Pacers can win a game in Boston, they should have stolen Game 1. And while many teams would normally be deflated after that type of loss, against this specific opponent I think Indiana will be alright. Especially if Boston struggles to make adjustments in Game 2 the way they have in the past. The Pacers' turnover issues from Game 1 are fixable, and if they clean that up and make some defensive changes, they can definitely keep this game close.
Pick: Pacers +9
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