NBA Celtics vs Pacers Prediction & Same Game Parlay picks: Siakam comes up big at +395 odds

Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) passes the ball in the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
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Filip Tomic

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Long-time NBA fan, following the game closely for 21 years now. Joined the Pickswise writing staff for the 2020-21 season and have given out winning picks since. Hopefully we can make some money together! Oh, and I firmly believe Lebron James is not one of the two best basketball players of all time. Yeah, I said it. For Filip Tomic media enquiries, please email contact@pickswise.com.
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Pressure is on Indiana to respond after losing the initial two games of their Eastern Conference series against the Boston Celtics. Can the Pacers continue their home unbeaten run or will Boston remain undefeated on the road? Tip-off for Game 3 on Saturday is at 8.30 pm ET on ABC, I’ve prepared a Same Game Parlay which is available tomorrow.

For predictions on the side and total for both the Eastern and Western Conference Finals series, simply visit our NBA Picks page.

Let’s dive into my SGP bet now!

Over 222.5 Total Points (-108)

Pascal Siakam Over 22.5 Points (-104)

Myles Turner 2+ Made Threes (-140)

Same Game Parlay odds: +395

Over 222.5 Total Points (-108)

The over has cashed with ease in both games so far in this series and I think it’ll continue to do so, regardless of Haliburton’s presence. Indiana is a type of team that simply does not know how to play any other style than running up and down all the time. Since the start of the Playoffs they are 10-5 on the O/U, picking up where they left off as one of the highest scoring teams in the NBA during the regular season. They now return home for Game 3, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse they’ve gone 29-18 on the O/U so far this season. Boston has also been consistent with the over lately, cashing on that bet 4 times in their last 5 games. Not having Kristaps Porzingis hasn’t had any negative effects whatsoever on their offense, especially from three-point land where they’ve now scored 15, 15 and 19 threes in their last 3 outings. Nobody has been able to stop this team from putting up points on the board this postseason and I’d be shocked if the Pacers found a way to do so here. I’ll stick with the over for Game 3.

Check out my Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers Game 3 Predictions

Pascal Siakam Over 22.5 Points (-104)

It’s the moment of truth for both Pascal Siakam and the Pacers as a group, especially if Haliburton isn’t able to go. The former Raptors is by far the most experienced player on this Pacers roster and I think on Saturday night that’ll show once again. He leads the team in scoring this postseason run averaging 21.7 points per game, that’ll have to go up to 27-30 if Indiana wants to get anything out Game 3. Siakam has cleared this line in both games played so far in this series and 3 times in his last 4 games, despite not hitting a single three pointer in 2 of those games. It doesn’t really matter who feeds him the ball on the post, be it T. J. McConnell or Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers need a big time performance from Siakam here and I think he answers the call.

Myles Turner 2+ Made Threes (-140)

Getting into foul trouble early is the main reason why Turner finished Game 2 with just 8 points, his 3rd lowest point total of this postseason. He responds well in these situations, the last two times he scored single digits he responded with 23 and 21 points respectively the next game, I’m expecting something similar here. Despite the limited minutes in Game 2 he was still able to clear this line, doing so for the 3rd game in a row and the 6th time in 7 outings. He’s had a steady diet of threes this postseason, hitting them at a 47.4% clip, which is an improvement of almost 12% compared to the regular season. Boston’s only flaw defensively this postseason has been their defense of the perimeter. In their last 3 games they’ve allowed the Pacers and Cavaliers to make 38.9% of attempts from deep, so let’s hope Turner can take advantage of that in a pivotal Game 3.

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