2024 NBA East Finals Game 2 Preview - Indiana vs. Boston: Can the Pacers even the series after their Game 1 collapse? May 23, 2024 by Marc Jerbs

On Thursday, May 23, the Boston Celtics will host Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers. Game time is set 8:00PM EDT at TD Garden in Boston, MA.

Following an exhilarating overtime clash in the first game, the Indiana Pacers and the Boston Celtics are preparing for another heated confrontation in Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. With Boston holding a 1-0 series lead following a heart-stopping win, the Pacers are eager to level the score and steal Celtics’ home-court advantage.

During Game 1, the Celtics narrowly surpassed the Pacers in an intense overtime finale. Despite a commendable showing from Indiana's potent pair of Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner, the Celtics leaned on the clutch performances of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to clinch victory. The Pacers fiercely contested every inch, yet found themselves coming up short in the decisive moments. Now, they are resolute in their mission to rebound and assert themselves as formidable contender.

Injury Report

Indiana Pacers

PLAYER	POSITION	STATUS
Xavier Tillman	PG	Game Time Decision
Olivier-Maxence Prosper (ankle)	F	Game Time Decision

Boston Celtics

PLAYER	POSITION	STATUS
No injury reported.

Sports Bet Odds

With home court advantage, the Celtics are the favorites to win the game. Here are our latest odds:

• The Celtics are favored by 9 points, with a money line of -400.
• The Pacers are the underdogs by 9 points, with a money line of +320.
• The over/under is set at 224.5 points, with the over at -110 and the under at -110.

Heading into Game 2, the Pacers will prioritize shoring up their defense as a crucial aspect of their strategy. It's imperative for them to devise methods to limit the scoring impact of players like Tatum and Brown, while also remaining vigilant against Boston's proficient shooters such as Jrue Holiday and Al Horford.

Meanwhile, the Celtics are poised to capitalize on their Game 1 triumph by sustaining their defensive vigor and precision. Boston intends to disrupt Indiana's offensive rhythm and induce turnovers. Offensively, they aim to capitalize on favorable matchups and generate chances for their creators to penetrate the defense and create scoring opportunities.

Game 2 promises to deliver yet another electrifying clash between two formidable Eastern Conference contenders. While the Pacers are poised to launch a relentless offensive assault, the Celtics' depth and playoff-tested pedigree might ultimately sway the balance in their favor once more. Anticipate another fiercely contested showdown, yet Boston's tenacity and precision could ultimately emerge as the deciding factors, propelling them to a commanding 2-0 series advantage.

NBA Playoffs Team Statistics

Indiana Pacers		Boston Celtics
115.2	Point Per Game	110.4
112.4	Points Allowed	99.5
50.9%	FG% Per Game	47.9%
41.1	Rebounds Per Game	44.7
30.6	Assists Per Game	23.4