The Celtics stole one. Boston was outplayed, outshot and outsmarted in Game 1 as the Pacers were primed to sneak out of the Garden with a Game 1 win.
Instead, they dribbled the ball off their leg. It's hard to blame them; it must've been slick after they whizzed down in the final minutes.
But with Boston up 1-0, how do we approach Game 2?
Here are Eastern Conference Finals odds and picks, including how to bet Pacers vs. Celtics Game 2.
Celtics -8.5
The public, in terms of both the money and bets, are on the Pacers, which makes sense. It's nearly double digits again for a Pacers team that continues to defy expectations and should've won Game 1.
But the reason this hasn't moved any further than 8.5 is because we've seen sharp money come in on Boston.
Boston is 9-4 SU and 7-6 ATS in the playoffs under Joe Mazzulla following an ATS loss. It's also 16-4 ATS after it wins a game outright and 15-4 when it wins as a favorite.
The Pacers don't have a world of adjustments here. I think they'll continue to shoot well, but they don't have big tactical moves on defense.
Boston will sharpen up after a disappointing win, putting all the pressure on Indiana at home.
Obi Toppin Over 8.5 Points
Rick Carlisle got too cute in Game 1. When Aaron Nesmith got in foul trouble, he went small. T.J. McConnell continually found himself defending larger wings, and it was rough (he finished -8).
The Pacers have to play their bigger forwards. Toppin not only scored 15 points, but he was +2. This is a series he can play, and that should be one of Carlisle's adjustments in Game 2.
Jaylen Brown Game Scoring Leader (+220)
Jaylen Brown had favorable matchups all night and looked comfortable for the most part in Game 1; I thought he was the best Celtic on the floor.
Brown was mostly guarded by Pascal Siakam, who'll likely have to spend more time on Jayson Tatum as the series goes on.
Brown also had only two fewer shots from 2-point range than Tatum; he was more aggressive attacking the rim.
I'll take Brown, as I think he's live to win ECF MVP.
Myles Turner Over 15.5 Points
The Celtics don't care what Myles Turner does. They guarded him with Luke Kornet … in a conference finals game.
Turner will feast in those minutes, and Al Horford will continue to dare him to hit 3s, which Turner can.
I don't mind a look at him for scoring leader at 20-1, either, though it's probably just going to be Tatum 80% of the time in this series.
Be Wary of Celtics 1H Plays
I'm not sure that Mazzulla has learned his lesson about playing guys like Kornet and Payton Pritchard, and if he does, the Pacers will hang around.
