Pacers put unbeaten home playoff record on the line vs. Celtics road success in Game 3

The Indiana Pacers understand the stakes. Down 2-0 in another best-of-seven series, they are heading home with a perfect 6-0 record during this season’s playoff run. They need a crucial win in Saturday’s Game 3 to get back in the series, just as they did last week against New York. However, they face the top-seeded Boston Celtics, who are 4-0 on the road this postseason.

A major concern for Indiana is the potential loss of All-NBA guard Tyrese Haliburton. The league’s assist leader left Game 2 in the third quarter after re-injuring his left hamstring and did not return.

Despite being largely composed of playoff newcomers or those new to high-profile postseason roles, this Pacers team remains resilient. They refuse to be written off and are determined to make a strong stand this weekend.

“Our fans give us so much energy,” said Indiana forward Pascal Siakam, a midseason acquisition from Toronto where he won an NBA title. “For me, experiencing their passion for the first time is amazing. We can’t wait to go out there Saturday with the energy they’re going to bring to support us.”

Haliburton’s status could be a game-changer. The Pacers listed him as questionable on Friday’s injury report. While his injury casts a shadow, it doesn’t diminish the significance of this weekend for Indianapolis.

The 108th running of the Indianapolis 500, the world’s largest single-day sporting event, is set to draw nearly 300,000 spectators and falls between Saturday’s Game 3 and Monday’s Game 4. If rain delays the race, it could create a rare Memorial Day doubleheader with the Pacers and the Indy 500.

This confluence of high-energy events isn't lost on the Pacers, who share the May spotlight with IndyCar stars and the NFL’s Colts, who are holding offseason workouts in town. The only absentee is Caitlin Clark, who is on a West Coast trip with the WNBA’s Indiana Fever.

The Pacers are eager to make a mark as significant as the Greatest Spectacle in Racing—whether or not Haliburton plays.

“Losing sucks,” Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard said after playing four games in seven days in three cities. “It was a long road trip. I think it will be nice for all of us to get back in our own beds. We’re excited to play in front of our fans, and it’s going to be a big weekend with the race. We can’t wait to get back on our home court.”

The Celtics arrive with a different kind of advantage. They won twice at Miami in the first round before closing out the Heat in five games. Then in the conference semifinals, they won twice at Cleveland before eliminating the Cavaliers in five games. Winning the next two games would send Boston back to the NBA Finals for the second time in three years, via a conference finals sweep.

Boston coach Joe Mazzulla isn’t taking anything for granted.

“They were down 2-0 in a series that went to Game 7. They do a great job defending their home court,” Mazzulla said. “It’s going to take a lot more to get the job done. I know they’re going to respond, so it’s up to us to do the same.”

Boston has its own challenges. While Jaylen Brown tied his playoff career high with 40 points in Game 2 after being left off the All-NBA teams, Jayson Tatum struggled early. The Celtics also lost backup center Luke Kornet to a sprained left wrist and he’s listed as doubtful, while Kristaps Porzingis, out since April 29, remains unavailable.

Without Kornet and Porzingis, Mazzulla used a smaller lineup that included former Pacers forward Oshae Brissett. This strategy appeared to slow down Haliburton and Indiana's high-powered offense.

“The individual defense was good,” Mazzulla said. “We managed to align better with their shooters and communicated more effectively. We showed more patience defensively.”

Can this approach work again in Indianapolis?

Haliburton’s condition will play a significant role. The rest will depend on the Celtics' game-day strategy to counter a potentially limited Haliburton.

“When your franchise guy goes down, it’s tough,” Pacers guard T.J. McConnell said. “But it’s a chance for everyone to step up. We’ve done well in his absence before. It’s about the next man up mentality, and we’ll see how it goes.” 

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