Pacers vs. Celtics…. No, it doesn’t have the juice that Knicks vs. Celtics would have had. But this will absolutely be the Celtics toughest test of the postseason so far. And likely a lot tougher than a matchup against the banged-up Knicks would have been. As we get ready for Game 1 on Tuesday night let’s take a look at the five players that will play the biggest roles in determining this series.
1. Derrick White
![May 9, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) reacts after his three point basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first quarter during game two of the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports](https://985thesportshub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2024/05/USATSI_23231041-1.jpg?resize=1024,774)
You aren’t going to find a bigger Derrick White fan than me. Brad Stevens has put together a longggg list of impressive moves during his time as the president of basketball operations for the Celtics. Still, turning Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford, and picks into White back in 2022 might remain his best move. He was arguably the Celtics best player in their opening round series against the Heat and after three consecutive poor shooting games against the Cavs, White finished that series with a strong 18-point performance in Game 5. If White can continue to give you the type of play he did in round 1 and in Game 5, this series won’t last long.
2. Pascal Siakam
![INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 26: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball against the Phoenix Suns in the second half of the Pacers 133-131 win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on January 26, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)](https://985thesportshub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2024/02/Pascal-Siakam-Pacers.jpg?resize=1024,774)
The Pacers acquired Siakam at the deadline from the Raptors in exchange for Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora and three first round picks. So far this postseason the trade has worked out. In 12 playoff games he is averaging more than 21 points per game while shooting better than 50% from the field. That is NOT what Siakam brought to the table the last time he played the Celtics in the playoffs.
During the bubble postseason the Raptors and Celtics went 7 games in the Eastern Conference semifinals, in that series Siakam saw his averages plummet from 23.6 points per game on 45.9% shooting during the regular season to 14.9 points on 38.2% shooting. For his career against the Celtics he has averaged 17.6 points in 25 games (his biggest game a 40 point performance against the Celtics in 2022 came against a Celtics lineup that did not have Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, or Al Horford).
The question is which Siakam are the Pacers going to get this series. The one they have gotten so far this postseason or the one that showed up in the bubble against Boston. If it’s bubble Siakam this series will get ugly.