The No. 1 Boston Celtics needed to force overtime to beat the No. 6 Indiana Pacers in Game 1, but they scored the win and will head into Game 2 with a one-game lead. This marks the third Game 2 at home for Boston in this postseason, and they’re still looking for their first win in one of these matchups. So, will they pull it off? Let’s dive into our NBA expert picks and predictions for today’s Eastern Conference Finals Pacers-Celtics Game 2. Check out our expert picks page for more bets — or use our NBA +EV betting guide to find sharp plays on your own!
NBA Pacers-Celtics Expert Picks & Predictions for ECF Game 2
NBA Pacers-Celtics Expert Picks & Predictions for ECF Game 2
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Pacers-Celtics Odds
Odds via DraftKings
BOS ML: -395 | IND ML: +310
BOS -9: -110 | IND +9: -110
Over 224.5: -108 | Under 224.5: -112
Pacers-Celtics Picks & Predictions
@jazzrazdfs – Spread – BOS -9: I’m laying the points again tonight with Boston after a wild Game 1 in which the Celtics rallied to force and ultimately win in OT. Both teams attempted 99 shots, but the Celtics had 20 more free throws, which will pay major dividends if that continues.
The 3-point variance for both these teams is massive, and with the total set to 225, each will be content getting up and down. However, the Celtics still have the talent edge, and defensively, their efficiency far exceeds what the Pacers bring to the table. The spread has bounced around, but -9 at -108 is currently available, and that’s the spot I want to attack.
The big question I have is whether Indiana’s depth can do enough to continue causing problems. Indiana had the edge in bench points, but besides that, I don’t know what else they can do to cause problems against this Celtics team.
I’ll call for a better defensive effort in Game 2 from Boston, and with that in mind, I think we see them win going away to firmly take control of this series before they head to Indiana.
Eastern Conference Finals Game 2 Expert Pick & Prediction: BOS -9 -108 at FanDuel
@is_sirois – Player Prop – Myles Turner O/U 23.5 P&R: The Indiana Pacers got a ton of production out of center Myles Turner in Game 1: he racked up 23 points and 10 rebounds. However, that production came on very high efficiency rates — he recorded shooting splits of 69/75/100 and nabbed 10 of his 17 rebound chances (58.8%).
In the regular season, Turner was much less efficient. He averaged 17.1 points on 52/36/77 and 6.8 rebounds on 12.9 chances (52.7%). When facing the Celtics, Turner averaged 14 points on 43/21/46 and seven rebounds on 12.4 chances (56.5%). All of those datapoints suggest his Game 1 was a massive outlier.
Turner’s points and rebounds total is trading at 23.5, a number he stayed under in four of five regular-season games against the Celtics — and in six of his last 10 starts. While the number didn’t increase by as wide of a margin as I would’ve liked, we can still sell high at a reasonable enough price.
Eastern Conference Finals Expert Pick & Prediction: Player Prop – Myles Turner Under 23.5 P&R -108 at DraftKings
@Loughy_D – Player Prop – Ben Sheppard O/U 0.5 3PT: There is value when you’re getting odds of +150 for Sheppard to finish this game without hitting a three.
Sheppard is attempting fewer than three 3-pointers per game this postseason and is a 34 percent 3-point shooter. The Celtics allow the third lowest 3-point percentage to opponents, and I expect them to slow down their pace of play after a sketchy Game 1.
Make sure to smash this one at DraftKings before the value disappears.
Eastern Conference Finals Expert Pick & Prediction: Player Prop – Ben Sheppard Under 0.5 3PT +150 at DraftKings
