Celtics, Pacers square off for Eastern Conference supremacy

Pacers enter series on the upswing

The Indiana Pacers have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA since the All-Star break, going 27-10 and climbing to the third seed in the Eastern Conference. They have been led by the play of All-Star forward Domantas Sabonis, who is averaging 20.3 points and 12.1 rebounds per game.

The Pacers also made a big move at the trade deadline, acquiring Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors. Siakam is a two-time All-Star and was a key member of the Raptors' 2019 championship team. He gives the Pacers another dynamic scorer and playmaker, and he should help them be even more competitive with the Celtics.

The Celtics, meanwhile, have been the top team in the Eastern Conference all season long. They finished the regular season with a 51-31 record, and they have been led by the play of Jayson Tatum, who is averaging 26.9 points per game. The Celtics also have a strong supporting cast, including Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, and Robert Williams III.

Celtics favored, but Pacers have momentum

The Celtics are the clear favorites in this series, but the Pacers have the momentum and the home-court advantage. They also have a track record of success against the Celtics, having won three of the four regular season meetings between the two teams.

The Celtics will need to be at their best to win this series. They will need to find a way to contain Sabonis and Siakam, and they will need to hit their shots from the outside. The Pacers, on the other hand, will need to continue to play with the same intensity and energy that they have shown in recent weeks. They will also need to make the Celtics uncomfortable on the defensive end.

Prediction: Celtics in six

The Celtics are the better team on paper, but the Pacers have the momentum and the home-court advantage. I think this series will go six games, but I ultimately believe that the Celtics will win. They have more experience in big games, and they have a deeper bench.