NBA 2019 playoff primer: OKC Thunder join 7 squads in day two action
The 2019 NBA Playoffs enters day two with the other eight teams including the OKC Thunder playing their first games. Here’s your playoff primer for Sunday, April 14.
The second day of NBA Playoffs features the four games and eight teams who have yet to play their initial game in the postseason. Two teams from each conference take to the hardwood. The OKC Thunder are also in action and since that’s the team we sweat for they get a preview of all their own. However, three other teams are in action with all the underdogs looking to replicate day one action where three of the four underdogs won Game 1.
To help prepare you Sunday’s slate of matches here’s a quick primer on the three non OKC Thunder games.
Indiana Pacers versus Boston Celtics:
Maybe we should call this the limp series. It’s not uncommon for teams to be banged up arriving at the postseason, but this is a first. Almost three lineups worth of players is noted on the injury report with the Celtics entire starting unit and top two reserves (not including Marcus Smart who is definitely out) listed. Likewise, five of the Pacers (not including Victor Oladipo) make the list with four of their five starters noted.
Imagine if all the players noted from the starting lineups didn’t play Darren Collison would be standing on the court all by himself.
This is a bit of an about-face for me because all season I promoted the Indiana Pacers as being underrated. They were on my preseason list to garner a home court seed and I do believe if Dipo didn’t get hurt they would have accomplished that feat. Similarly, I wasn’t buying into the Celtics who proved to be one of the most dysfunctional teams this season.
Having said, that I find myself in a reverse position as the teams hit the first round because the Celtics have displayed the ability to win the big games this season and Kyrie Irving is battle tested. Case in point Boston took down the Pacers twice in the final seven games of the season which ultimately was the difference in them taking the four seed away from Indiana. I also believe the Celtics could take down the Bucks in the semis given their length and athleticism. Well, of course that also depends on whether those seven players currently listed beside Marcus Smart actually play.
Prior to reaching that plateau however, they’ll need to deal with each other and this series doesn’t seem likely to be over quickly.
Celtics Key Stat Categories:
Record: 49-33
Offense: 111.2 (10th)
Defense: 107.0 (6th)
Net: plus +4.2 (6th)
Pace: 100.4 (16th)
Pacers Key Stat Categories:
Record: 48-34
Offense: 109.1 (18th)
Defense:105.7 (3rd)
Net: plus +3.4 (9th)
Pace: 98.6 (25th)
Game Specifics:
History: The Celtics hold the edge of 98 wins over the Pacers in 177 all-time head to head match-ups. Boston also holds the narrow 13-12 margin in playoffs all-time. This season the Celtics took three out of the four meetings.
Odds: The oddsmakers give the Celtics the seven point edge over the Pacers with a predicted over/under of 209.5 points.
The Venue: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
The Tip: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, April 14, 2019
TV: TNT, FS Indiana, NBCS Boston
Celtics Starters:
Point Guard: *Kyrie Irving
Shooting Guard: *Jaylen Brown (there is uncertainty over who will start but Brown seems logical)
Small Forward: *Jayson Tatum
Power Forward: *Al Horford
Center: *Aron Baynes
Celtics Bench:
Point Guard: Terry Rozier III, Jonathan Gibson, Brad Wanamaker
Shooting Guard:
Small Forward: *Gordon Hayward,
Power Forward: *Marcus Morris, Semi Ojeleye, Guerschon Yabusele
Center: Daniel Theis,Robert Williams
Injury Notes:
- I’m not sure if this is gamesmanship but every single starter plus the top two reserves on the Celtics are listed on the injury report. I’ve noted above what the injury is stated as being and whether they are considered probable or questionable.
- Marcus Smart, Left Oblique Tear
Pacers Starters:
Point Guard: Darren Collison
Shooting Guard: *Wesley Matthews
Small Forward: *Bojan Bogdanovic
Power Forward: *Thaddeus Young
Center: *Myles Turner
Pacers Bench:
Point Guard: Cory Joseph, Aaron Holiday, Edmond Sumner
Shooting Guard: Tyreke Evans
Small Forward: Doug McDermott
Power Forward: *Domantas Sabonis, TJ Leaf, Alize Johnson
Center: Kyle O’Quinn
Injury Notes:
- Wesley Matthews (toe) listed as probable
- Myles Turner (ankle) listed as probable
- Thaddeus Young (hand) listed as questionable
- Bojan Bogdanovic (hand) listed as questionable
- Domantas Sabonis (Ankle) listed as questionable
- Victor Oladipo – Right knee surgery