The expectation for much of the 2023-24 NBA season has been that the Celtics would be playing basketball deep into the postseason. If Boston didn’t reach this stage, it would be a disappointment for a team that won 64 games in the regular season.
The same cannot be said of the Pacers. Indiana entered the NBA Playoffs as the No. 6 seed, just managing to avoid the play-in tournament. The team faced a treacherous path to this point, one that went through the No. 3 Bucks, then the No. 2 Knicks.
Yet here are the underdog Pacers, the last team standing between the heavily favored Celtics and the NBA Finals.
STREAM: Watch the NBA Playoffs on Sling TV
The Pacers and Celtics had a narrow season series, with Boston ultimately claiming a 3-2 advantage. The matchup figures to be high-scoring, with both teams having reached at least 100 in every meeting so far this season. Boston had the largest margin of victory between the two teams, with a 155-104 victory on Nov. 1.
Sporting News is tracking results and highlights from the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals. Follow for updates from Game 1 of Celtics vs. Pacers.
Celtics vs. Pacers score
1Q2Q3Q4QFinalPacers———-Celtics———-
Celtics vs. Pacers live score, results, highlights
(All times Eastern)
7:39 p.m.: ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Kristaps Porzingis will be out both Game 1 and 2 in Boston, but there is a chance he could return in time for Game 4, which would be in Indiana.
7:20 p.m.: Key players getting ready ahead of tonight’s game.
Tyrese Haliburton getting ready for Game 1 of the ECF 👀 pic.twitter.com/u8yfwDrBZd
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 21, 2024
The Jays are getting locked in 🔒 pic.twitter.com/eyM62WoBZC
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 21, 2024
6:57 p.m.: Another quarterback is pulling for a different squad. 49ers QB Brock Purdy is rooting for the Pacers and Tyrese Haliburton. Both Purdy and Haliburton spent their college days at Iowa State from 2018-20, though Purdy stayed through 2021.
Brock Purdy is rooting for his friend Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers in the NBA playoffs 👏 pic.twitter.com/ta4J5FZYj7
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) May 21, 2024
6:50 p.m.: The latest franchise quarterback for the Patriots is in the house, with Drake Maye sitting courtside for the Celtics’ playoff game tonight.
Drake Maye getting the full Boston experience and sitting courtside for Celtics vs. Pacers ☘️ 🌆 pic.twitter.com/hlK2XrKbkF
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 21, 2024
Celtics vs. Pacers start time
Date: Tuesday, May 21Time: 8 p.m. ET
The Celtics and Pacers will tip off at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 21, with the game slated to be played at TD Garden in Boston.
How to watch Celtics vs. Pacers
TV channel: ESPN/ESPN2Live stream: Sling
The Celtics vs. Pacers matchup will be carried by ESPN and ESPN2 in the United States and Sportsnet in Canada. U.S. viewers can also stream the game on Sling.
Sling is the home for sports fans, offering various channels. You can always cheer for your favorite teams on channels like ESPN, TBS, TNT, NFL Network, FS1 and more.
Celtics vs. Pacers odds for Game 1
Here are the latest Celtics-Pacers odds for Game 1, courtesy of BetMGM an authorized gaming operator of the NBA.
Boston is favored by 10.5 points and is -450 against the moneyline. A -450 moneyline would mean a $100 bet would pay out $122.22.
Series tied 0-0CelticsPacersSpread-10.5+10.5Moneyline-450+350O/U totalO 222.5 (-110)U 222.5 (-110)
Check out BetMG to see the latest NBA Playoff odds for every series including updated odds to win the NBA Finals.
Celtics vs. Pacers schedule, scores, results
GameDateSiteTime (ET)TV Channel/Live stream1May 21Boston8 p.m.ESPN, Sling2May 23Boston8 p.m.ESPN, Sling3May 25Indianapolis8:30 p.m.ABC, Sling4May 27Indianapolis8 p.m.ESPN, Sling5*May 29Boston8 p.m.ESPN, Sling6*May 31Indianapolis8 p.m.ESPN, Sling7*June 2Boston8 p.m.ESPN, Sling
* – If necessary