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Collision Course: The Pacers are undefeated on their home floor this postseason (6-0) yet return home facing a 2-0 deficit for the second straight series.
Tonight, they host the Celtics — who are unbeaten on the road in the playoffs (4-0) — in Game 3 of the East Finals (8:30 ET, ABC).
- A Rare Occurrence: Tonight is the first time since the 2013 Heat-Pacers series that an undefeated home team will host an undefeated road team in the conference finals
- The Result: Miami (4-0 on the road) won Game 3 in Indiana (6-0 at home) and claimed the series in seven games
- Pacers 🤝 Raptors? Indiana looks to become the first team since the 2019 NBA champion Raptors to win a conference finals after losing the first two games of the series (vs. Milwaukee)
Pascal Siakam played for that Toronto team and was acquired by the Pacers this January for his championship pedigree. Tonight, Indy may need him more than ever.
- 🗣️ Coach Rick Carlisle on Siakam: “That guy’s unbelievable. His experience in the playoffs is so valuable. He’s not a guy who’s going to get rattled by anything.”
- Haliburton Update: Siakam may be without co-star Tyrese Haliburton, who will be a game-time decision with left hamstring soreness — the same injury that kept him out 10 games in January
- Indy Without Haliburton: Siakam was acquired on Jan. 20 with Haliburton still injured and has gone 3-2 as a Pacer without him. In total, Indiana is 7-6 this season without Haliburton
Pumped-Up Pascal: Siakam, averaging playoff career-highs (min. 20 min/g) in FG% (55.1), 3P% (34.1), and rebounds (7.7) while posting 21.7 ppg, is eager to protect home court in Game 3.
- 🗣️“The games have so much energy… We can’t wait to see the fans out there on Saturday — we’re just so excited.”
