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Indiana Pacers: 5 keys to series vs. Celtics

By Fran Kilinski

(Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
(Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

After losing the regular season series to the Boston Celtics, the Indiana Pacers need flawless execution to succeed in the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs.

If their final regular season matchup against the Boston Celtics wasn’t enough of a wake up call, the Indiana Pacers are sure to have their plates full with a first round playoff showdown starting Sunday.

The recent 20-point loss at Bankers Life Fieldhouse was a reminder that even though this Celtics team had somewhat of an underperforming season, they can still light it up on any given night. The Cs had six players in double figures and Jayson Tatum and Gordon Hayward led the way with 22 and 21 points, respectively.

Indiana’s defense has been its bread and butter all season, but the Celtics’ depth will almost guarantee the series is theirs for the taking if Indiana can’t keep up on the scoring front.

Although the records are similar on paper, these two teams will each be 0-0 on April 14 when the series begins. Here’s what the Pacers need to do to have a shot at winning this matchup.

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