Bets, traces and stats for Celtics-Pacers Sport 4 – ESPN

Monica McNutt and Brian Windhorst focus on whether or not they imagine the Celtics have been in a position to breeze via the NBA playoffs. (1:10)
The Boston Celtics search for the sweep Monday night time whereas the Indiana Pacers attempt to power the sequence again to Boston for a Sport 5. The Celtics dealt the Pacers a crushing defeat in Sport 3, in a recreation the Pacers led by as many as 18 factors earlier than the Celtics got here again and received.
Was that loss the straw that broke the sequence, with the Celtics more likely to win Sport 4 in a blowout? Or will the Pacers bounce again but once more and proceed to show they’ll compete in opposition to a staff as robust because the Celtics? Let’s focus on, with a watch on potential angles for Monday’s motion.
Pacers +7.5 factors (-105). The Pacers are down 3-0 after three heartbreaking losses, none extra so than their 3-point loss after an 18-point lead in Sport 3. Whereas such a loss could possibly be exhausting to come back again from, this Pacers staff has confirmed resilient all season and all playoffs lengthy. They’re taking part in at house, and all of the shut losses have confirmed they’ll compete with this Celtics squad whether or not Tyrese Haliburton (GTD, hamstring) performs or not. Of their previous 5 matchups in opposition to the Celtics, together with the playoffs, the Pacers are solely 1-4, however the common scoring margin has solely been 5.4 factors with just one recreation, Sport 2, yielding a Celtics win bigger than 7.5 factors. In Sport 4, I search for the Pacers to play with tempo and with delight, and to maintain the sport aggressive as soon as once more.
Pacers and Celtics over 222.5 whole factors (-115). These two groups have performed eight instances this season, and the typical mixed rating in these eight video games has been 243.9 PPG. They’ve scored at the very least 225 mixed factors in seven of the eight video games, together with in all three playoff video games up to now. It’s unclear whether or not the Pacers could have Haliburton on the court docket, however with out him they play an excellent quicker tempo and proceed to place factors on the board and quit massive numbers on the different finish. Irrespective of who wins on Monday, it is extremely probably that a number of factors will probably be scored on this matchup… simply as standard.
Jayson Tatum over 29.5 factors (-125). Tatum has had his means as a scorer in opposition to the Pacers all season. In seven matchups in opposition to the Pacers, together with common season and playoffs, Tatum has averaged 32.1 PPG on 53.3 FG% and 41.7 3P%. He has scored at the very least 30 factors in six of the seven video games. The Pacers play a free-flowing, up-and-down recreation and haven’t any wings with each the scale and the lateral quickness to stop Tatum from getting his seems. The largest menace to Tatum getting his factors is that if the sport turns into a blowout and he does not play full minutes, but when the Pacers preserve the sport aggressive I anticipate Tatum to provide his typical massive recreation in opposition to them.
Andrew Nembhard over 15.5 factors (-135). This choose relies on Nembhard getting the beginning at level guard once more with Haliburton (GTD, hamstring) sidelined. Whether it is introduced Haliburton will play, I’d anticipate Nembhard’s scoring prop to go decrease. But when Haliburton does not play, Nembhard has proven that the aggression he has proven when known as upon this playoff run can translate to the principle offense-creating function. The Pacers’ offense relies on tempo and house, and having a lead guard who will assault the protection as a scoring menace that may additionally arrange teammates. Nembhard is that, able to establishing his shot off the dribble from each distance and within the midrange. If Haliburton performs, I believe Nembhard nonetheless scores in at the very least the low-mid teenagers. But when Haliburton sits, Nembhard is more likely to push for 20 or extra like he did in Sport 3.
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Harm aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET
Boston Celtics at Indiana Pacers
8:00 p.m. Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
Data (In opposition to the Unfold)
Celtics: 64-18 (43-35-4)
Pacers: 47-35 (44-36-2)
Line: Celtics (-7.5) Complete: 222.5
Cash Line: Celtics (-290), Pacers (+235)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 2.6, straight up 59%, 221.9 whole factors.
Harm Report:
Celtics: Jrue Holiday, (GTD – Sickness); Luke Kornet, (GTD – Wrist); Kristaps Porzingis, (OUT – Calf)
Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton, (GTD – Hamstring); Bennedict Mathurin, (OUT – Shoulder)

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