The Indiana Pacers and the Boston Celtics meet for the first time since their clash in last season's Eastern Conference finals when they go head to head at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Thursday.
Last season, the Celtics swept the Pacers 4-0 en route to winning their 18th NBA championship and will be looking to make it five straight wins in this tie since a slender 133-131 defeat on January 9.
Match preview
© Imago
On Tuesday, the Indiana Pacers were on the wrong end of a close defeat for a second consecutive game as they fell 119-115 against the Orlando Magic at the Kia Center.
The Pacers found themselves trailing 71-59 in the first half, with All-star forward Paolo Banchero tying the Magic's point record (37), but they upped the ante in the third quarter, outscoring Orlando 39-22 to take a five-point lead into the fourth quarter.
However, the Magic came roaring back in the fourth, led by 21-year-old Banchero, who finished with a new club-record 50 points to claim a hard-fought four-point lead and take their record to 3-1 for the season.
Despite his cold shooting display in the fourth quarter, where he made just two of seven shots, Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 26 points, while Tyrese Haliburton finished with a 19-point 10-rebound double-double.
Since tipping off the season with a 115-109 win over the Detroit Pistons on October 24, Rick Carlisle's side have now lost their subsequent three outings, including a 118- 114 overtime defeat against the Philadelphia 76ers in their first home game on October 27.
While the Pacers will look to bounce back and secure their first home win of the season, next up is the challenge of an opposing side who have won each of their last five clashes, including a 4-0 run in the Eastern Conference final last season.
© Imago
Elsewhere, the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks squared off in a potential Eastern Conference final preview on Tuesday, with the Celtics claiming a 119-108 victory at the TD Garden.
It was back and forth in the first half, with the Bucks edging into a close 56-53 half-time lead, but Jaylen Brown knocked down 21 in the second half to finish with a team-high 30 points as the Celtics preserved their perfect start to the season.
Despite the strong showing from Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored a combined 63 points for Milwaukee, Payton Pritchard put on a show at the TD Gardens, dropping 28 points and making eight from behind the arc to tie the Celtics record for threes off the bench.
The Boston Celtics have now won each of their four games to start their championship defence, brushing aside the New York Knicks, Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons and, most recently, the Milwaukee Bucks.
Joe Mazzulla's men are the league's best-scoring side after the opening four games, averaging 124.2 points per game, while they have made the most 3-pointers this season (88) with a league-high 42.8% from beyond the arc.
- W
- L
- L
- L
- W
- W
- W
- W
Team News
© Imago
The Indiana Pacers remain without 23-year-old center James Wiseman, who continues his journey to full fitness having recently undergone surgery over an Achilles injury.
Johnny Furphy missed the game against the Orlando Magic last time out due to illness and the 19-year-old rookie remains questionable heading into Thursday's matchup.
As for the Boston Celtics, Mazzulla will be unable to call upon the services of experienced center Porzingis, who continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining a foot injury back in June.
Sam Hauser missed the victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday through a back injury and the forward, who averaged nine points per game last season, is considered day-to-day ahead of Thursday's matchup.
Indiana Pacers possible starting 5:
Haliburton, Nembhard, Turner, Nesmith, Siamam
Boston Celtics possible starting 5:
Holiday, White, Brown, Tatum, Al Horford
We say: Boston Celtics to win by 7+ points.
The Boston Celtics have picked up from where they left off last season, winning each of their opening four games, including victories over Eastern Conference contenders New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks.
Indiana Pacers have struggled to impose themselves this season and while they will be looking to take the positives from the loss against the Magic, we predict that the Celtics will extend their dominance in this tie.
Joshua Ojele
