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The Boston Celtics will face the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, following the Pacers' decisive Game 7 victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
The Pacers delivered an impressive performance, shooting a remarkable 76 percent in the first half and leading by 15 at halftime. They maintained their momentum to win 130-109, advancing to the Conference Finals for the ninth time in franchise history.
Head-to-head between the Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics this season
The two teams met five times in the regular season, with the Celtics winning three of those games. Their first encounter was a blowout 155-104 victory for Boston in November, where Jayson Tatum scored 30 points and six other Celtics scored in double figures.
The Pacers avenged this loss in the In-Season Quarterfinals with a 122-112 win, highlighted by Tyrese Haliburton's first career triple-double.
In subsequent games, the Celtics secured a 118-101 victory in January with Tatum scoring 38 points. The Pacers won a closely contested game two nights later, 133-131, despite missing Haliburton, thanks to Bennedict Mathurin's crucial free throws. The final matchup saw the Celtics win 129-124, with Tatum scoring 30 points and blocking a key shot in the final seconds.
Tatum excelled against the Pacers, averaging 32.5 points on 57.8 percent shooting, while Jaylen Brown added 28.4 points on 60.6 percent shooting. The Pacers' fast-paced offense, led by Haliburton, Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam, will challenge the Celtics' defense.
What time is Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Game 1?
The Boston Celtics will host the Indiana Pacers for the Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 on Tuesday, May 21. At 20:00 ET.
Where to watch Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Game 1
The first clash of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers will be broadcast by ESPN.
Boston Celtics vs. Indiana Pacers: Comparison and Statistics
Record:
- Celtics: 64-18 (1st in the East)
- Pacers: 47-35 (6th in the East)
Offensive Rating:
- Celtics: 123.2 (1st)
- Pacers: 121.0 (2nd)
Defensive Rating:
- Celtics: 111.6 (3rd)
- Pacers: 118.0 (24th)
Pace:
- Celtics: 97.2 (23rd)
- Pacers: 101.7 (2nd)
Top Scorer:
- Celtics: Jayson Tatum (26.9)
- Pacers: Pascal Siakam (21.3)
Top Rebounder:
- Celtics: Jayson Tatum (8.1)
- Pacers: Pascal Siakam (7.8)
Top Assister:
- Celtics: Derrick White (5.2)
- Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton (10.9)