Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the top-seeded Celtics and the No. 6 seed Pacers was an epic battle that went to overtime. Jaylen Brown ($9,400 Showdown) hit a tough three-pointer in the corner to send the game to an extra period, where Boston was able to prevail 133-128. Both teams are tough on the offensive end with the ability to hunt and exploit matchups. Indiana shot 53.5% from the field while Boston converted 47.5% of their shots. Boston shot 20 more free throws, making 15 more than Indiana.
In their first two series of the playoffs, Boston has won every game handily, except for Game 2s, both losses. Indiana is more than capable of replicating the feat, but I don’t think Boston comes out lax in this one.
DraftKings Sportsbook has BOS -9 over IND at home. The total is 224.5. BOS was favored by 10 points in Game 1 and the total was 221.5. Kristaps Porzingis is out. Xavier Tillman ($2,000) is questionable. Keep track of injury updates at DK Live.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Showdown $500K Shootaround [$100K to 1st] (IND vs BOS)
Andrew Nembhard ($8,100 CP): Nembhard has become an integral part of the rotation for the Pacers due to his defense and versatility on offense. Over the last three games, he’s received 38, 34 and 35 minutes. He’s not a high-usage player, as it will usually be in the teens, but it did spike to 24 percent in the closeout game against New York. He will likely get around 10 shots and score in double figures while grabbing some boards, dishing out a handful of dimes and racking up some defensive stats. While he may not go for 40+ DKFP, he has produced 26.75, 35.75 and 35 DKFP in the last three games, so if things break right, he could get into that realm. The ownership will be low, he’s going to be on the court a ton and he allows the UTIL slots to be filled with good options everywhere.
Derrick White ($12,300 CP): White is similar to Nembhard in that they are both excellent connector pieces on offense while being stout on defense. White has a little more oomph to his game, though, at both ends of the court, which offers a higher DKFP ceiling. He went for 57 DKFP eight games ago against Miami. Jrue Holiday ($11,200) was great last game and made for an excellent CPT choice, but I doubt he’ll be as efficient shooting from the field again. In addition, the ownership will likely be elevated due to recency bias. White also allows for a solid UTIL roster construction, which requires a paydown at only one slot.
Al Horford ($6,600): With Porzingis out again, Horford should play as much as he can. In the last two games, he received 35 and 40 minutes, and he displayed the versatility of his game. In the closeout game against Cleveland, he rocked a 22.5% usage rate, scoring 22 points, grabbing 15 rebounds and dishing out five dimes, resulting in 58.75 DKFP. In Game 1 against Indiana, Horford had a 10.2% usage rate, scored 15 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out one dime, translating to 31.5 DKFP. He did block three shots in both contests, though. For the cost, Horford is a solid option with access to a ceiling.
Myles Turner ($8,000): I listed Turner as a fade for Game 1. I am not a smart man. Not having Porzingis out there on defense really opened things up for Turner. He racked up 23 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Over the last six games, he’s gone for at least 30 DKFP in all with two over 40.
Tyrese Haliburton ($9,600): Haliburton at times can be a little too passive on offense, but he seems energized and locked in at the moment. His ability to contribute across the board provides a relatively high floor, but when he’s aggressively trying to score, he can access a ceiling of 50 to 60 DKFP. Until Porzingis can return into the mix, I’d expect Hali to continue slicing and dicing the Celtics’ defense.
Jrue Holiday ($7,400): Holiday was magnificent in Game 1, putting up 28 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and three steals. He shot 10-of-16 from the field and 4-of-8 from downtown. That was the first time he made at least 10 shots in a game during these playoffs, the first time dishing out more than six dimes, only the second time making at least four three-pointers and the first time scoring over 20 points. Holiday scored at least 20 points only seven times during the regular season.
The Pacers have had the best offensive rating during these playoffs, The Celtics are second. Boston hasn’t been focused in the two Game 2s during these playoffs, but I don’t foresee that happening again. The Pacers gave them all they could handle in Game 1, so their antennae will be fully at attention. Without Porzingis in the mix again, I like Indiana to continue having success on offense, which Boston should match in due kind. The Pacers offense is humming right now, having shot 53.8% and 67.1% in the last two games of the Knicks series and 53.5% in Game 1. That said, I like Boston in a close, high-scoring game.
Final Score: Celtics 126, Pacers 122
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Showdown $500K Shootaround [$100K to 1st] (IND vs BOS)
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is mbarner51) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
