The Boston Celtics lit up the scoreboard when they last met the Indiana Pacers, 155-104, in what may very well remain as the most lopsided game this season. Probable All-Star Tyrese Haliburton wasn’t able to play that night, though, so now that he’s healthy, can they get revenge?
Catch the game tomorrow at 8:30 AM, Manila time.
AWAY: Boston Celtics (15-4, 6-4 AWAY)
Projected starting five:
- Jrue Holiday
- Derrick White
- Jaylen Brown
- Jayson Tatum
- Al Horford
Even with Kristaps Porzingis out due to a calf injury, the Celtics are able to prove they are quite possibly the most balanced and complete team in the league. They have plenty of offensive firepower on deck while also ranking fourth in points allowed and defensive rating, which then equates to a league-best +9.5 net rating.
As per usual, Jayson Tatum led Boston in that cruising victory, posting 30 points and 12 rebounds. No. 2 scorer Jaylen Brown was relatively quiet with 16 points, but it was evened out by seven other Celtics reaching double figures.
New Celtic Jrue Holiday is holding it down in facilitating and defense, while two-way guard Derrick White is continuing to boast why he’s an underrated role player through averages of 14.3 points, 5.1 assists, and 1.1 steals.
Veteran Al Horford is doing spot duty in the starting lineup with Porzingis sidelined. He is registering an all-around line of 14.0/10.0/4.0/1.3/2.3 on 64% shooting over his last three games.
HOME: Indiana Pacers (10-8 ,6-5 HOME)
Projected starting five:
- Tyrese Haliburton (game-time-decision)
- Buddy Hield
- Bruce Brown
- Obi Toppin
- Myles Turner
Offense is the identity that this Pacers team has taken, and they’re wearing it loud and proud. They are averaging an NBA-high 128.8 points per game and a top-ranked offensive rating, which could’ve been really, really awesome if they are not simultaneously allowing the most points per game (125.9) and recording the worst defensive rating in the league.
Perhaps it’s what you really sacrifice when playing with a free-flowing offense at an insane pace, especially when it permits the highly-skilled Tyrese Haliburton to be in command. He’s been going off on defenses, notching 27.0 points, 11.8 assists, and 3.9 assists per game, and should be able to continue doing so. We should see a hungry guard itching to get back at a squad that extinguished his teammates for 51 points.
Shot-blocker Myles Turner (16.6 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.1 BPG) is Haliburton’s top scoring cohort, with Buddy Hield, Obi Toppin, Ben Mathurin, Bruce Brown, and Aaron Nesmith following suit.
PREDICTION:
Handicap: The Celtics (-5.0) cover the spread.
Over/Under: The total goes over 241.
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