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Boston Celtics: Get to Know the Celtics’ Potential Playoff Matchups

By James Carson

Apr 6, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) celebrates a play with forward Jaylen Brown (7) in the third quarter of their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) celebrates a play with forward Jaylen Brown (7) in the third quarter of their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 10, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Indiana Pacers

Currently sitting in the seventh seed is the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers are 41-40 but have won four straight games led by a red hot Paul George. George’s name should be familiar to Celtics fans, as he was one of several names attached to the team at the Trade Deadline in March. George is averaging 30.0 points and 7.4 rebounds over the Pacers’ last ten games. Second-year forward Myles Turner and a rejuvenated Lance Stephenson have helped the Pacers keep just ahead of the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls over the season’s final weeks.

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The Boston Celtics have fared well against the Pacers this season, though all three games have been close. The green won the first game on November 12th by a score of 105-99, the second game on December 22nd by a score of 109-102, and the third game on March 22nd by a score of 109-100. Isaiah Thomas has been the key in all three games. He has averaged 25.3 points against Indiana this season.

The Pacers and the Celtics are even in rebounding, with Indiana averaging 42 per game and Boston averaging 41.9.

The Boston Celtics biggest advantage comes in their three point shooting. While the Pacers have a better percentage, the C’s average twelve made threes per game and Indiana only averages 8.6.

The only way the Pacers could miss the playoffs is if both the Heat and Bulls win, so they are in the best position to clinch. They hold the tiebreaker over the Bulls, but not the Heat, so the only scenario where the Pacers could fall to the eighth seed is if Miami wins and both Indiana and Chicago lose.

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