The Pacers are four wins away from their first NBA Finals appearance since 2000. Can they upset the Celtics?
With this most recent triumph, a historic series versus the Boston Celtics was set up. In the event that the Pacers triumph, it would be their first trip to the NBA Finals since the Reggie Miller era in 2000. Despite being the underdog against the Celtics, who are the top-seeded team, here are two reasons why the Pacers will surprise everyone and defeat them in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Kristaps Porzingis is out for at least Games 1 and 2
The Pacers’ main weakness is the lack of an interior presence. During the regular season, Indianapolis finished 28th in total rebounds per game and 26th in defensive rebounding percentage. The Bucks could not take advantage of this shortcoming as star big man Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out the entire series with a calf injury. But the Knicks were aggressive on the offensive glass. In Game 5, New York grabbed 20 offensive boards, including 12 alone by center Isaiah Hartenstein. The Knicks finished the series at +19 on the offensive glass.
The Pacers were also last in points in the paint allowed. While Indy’s interior defense has been much better in the playoffs, they still have the most points in the paint allowed of any of the four remaining teams. Fortunately for The seven-foot center Kristaps Porzingis will be out of the lineup for at least the first two games of the series for the Pacers, who were 27th in the NBA in terms of scoring in the paint during the regular season.
In Game 4 of the First Round against the Miami Heat, Porzingis strained his right soleus, and he hasn’t played since. Despite his lack of impact on the glass, he opens up shots for a club that was sixth in the league in offensive rebounding rates during the regular season. As the tallest player on the defense, the Latvian’s floor spacing also creates space for guys like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to drive to the basket.
With Porzingis out to start the series, the Pacers lack of an interior presence becomes far less of an issue and evens the playing field for the number six seed in the Eastern Conference.
Balanced scoring and the depth to match Boston’s bench
The Pacers’ deep bench has helped Indiana advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, despite the fact that the spotlight is frequently on the marquee players during the playoffs. During the regular season, the Pacers lead the NBA in bench scoring, and in the postseason, seven guys are averaging at least 10 points per game. Despite not being in the starting lineup, T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin each scored more than 20 points in the pivotal Game 6 against the Bucks in the First Round. In Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Pacers bench scored 57 points against the Knicks.
The Pacers’ star players have also been significantly fresher than their playoff rivals thanks to Indiana’s deep bench. The only players from Indianapolis to rank among the top 125 in the NBA in terms of minutes per game are Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, but all five of the starting players for the Celtics do.
The Boston Celtics’ bench has long been a strength. However, the team gave up depth in the offseason to acquire Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, which improved the starting lineup. Boston currently ranks 26th in bench scoring. The Pacers’ depth has enabled them to prevail in two drawn-out series, and it may be essential to the team’s first NBA Finals appearance since 2000.
