“Beasts of The Eastern Conference Finals Preview.”
If you’d told me Boston and Indiana would be in the Eastern Conference
Finals, how many of us would’ve put a wager on it? Well, ladies and
gentlemen we have that and then some headed into the TD Garden
Tuesday night for game one. How did we get here and whose superstar
players, coaches and depth will secure their ticket for June? Let’s get
down to business shall we?
Boston Celtics:
Making their third straight Eastern Conference Finals
appearance in four seasons are well rested after beating Cleveland last
week. Superstars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum lead the East’s
number one seed in hoping to finally get over the hump. The addition of
guard Jrue Holiday has paid dividends for Boston defensively. Derrick
White has been the unsung hero in this postseason run as a nice role
player. The Celtics face a daunting task if center Kristaps Porzingis will be
healthy by game three once the series shifts back to Indianapolis.
Hampered by a lower leg injury since the Cavs series, this will be the
pivotal point of Boston’s chances in advancing. Head coach Joe
Mazzulla can be very good and a deer in headlights. Meaning his team
can look bored and sleepwalk through a game unscathed. It won’t work
in this series versus Indiana. Boston was knocked out by Indiana during the In-Season Tournament.
The Celtics will need to be crisper offensively as they’re the number two team in pace behind Indiana. As I’ve watched a couple games this season, if Brown and Tatum are struggling, who’s going to be a scorer and tag along to the finish? Jrue
Holiday is one of the best defensive guards in the league, but it will be
on their young superstars to combine for at least sixty points to put the
Cs in control. Role players need to play bigger and better as well.
Indiana Pacers:
For the first time in a decade, Indiana is back in the
Eastern Conference Finals; led by Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner.
What a season for the Pacers as they’ve fought through injuries and
playing respectable defense. Winning a game seven in New York at
historical Madison Square Garden is a true testament to their grit. The
one team nobody wants to see right now is racing to Boston with
momentum. Head coach Rick Carlisle has revived his career, while
having his team ready to play. A midseason trade for Toronto Raptors
champion Pascal Siakam has been a godsend and under the radar move
nobody expected. His leadership and understanding of the moment will
help guide the young Pacers against Boston. T.J. McConnell, Andrew
Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Obi Toppin all need to bring their best
games in this series. Haliburton can’t be off and on through the first two
games; he too needs to take it up another notch and keep pace with
Tatum. Rick Carlisle will make his adjustments and try not to get ejected at any point of this series.
The top two teams in pace will settle who’s fast enough to win a very hard fought seven game series.Expect this series to be fun, exciting, and entertaining for basketball fans. You wanted a Grand Prix, NASCAR, series well folks we’re
getting just that! May the best team win, and make it count!
Stai tuned.
