The Boston Celtics head to Gainbridge Fieldhouse up 2-0 against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. The last four meetings between these teams have gone Over the total and with the Pacers up-tempo style, I'm expecting plenty of possessions and points in Game 3.
That has me betting the Over on several player props, including the points for Pascal Siakam. Here are my best NBA picks and props for Celtics vs Pacers on May 25.
Best Celtics vs Pacers prop picks today
- Siakam Over 22.5 points (-122 at DraftKings)
- Pritchard Over 7.5 points (-104 at FanDuel)
- White Over 2.5 threes (-135 at DraftKings)
Picks made on 5-25 at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Read full analysis of each pick.
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Celtics vs Pacers player props for May 25
Prop bet #1: Siakam Over 22.5 points
Pascal Siakam dropped 28 points on 13-for-17 shooting in Game 2. While I don't expect that level of efficiency again, he should log more playing time and take more field goal attempts since he was pulled with nine minutes remaining on Thursday.
Keep in mind he took 23 field goal attempts in 42 minutes in Game 1 and finished with 24. The Boston Celtics are still missing their best rim protector in Kristaps Porzingis, which makes it easier for Siakam to get to the hoop. It's also worth mentioning Boston went on a 20-0 run in the second quarter after losing backup big Luke Kornet to an injury.
With Kornet sidelined, they decided to go small, which helped them match the Indiana Pacers' speed and energy down the court. Expect the Celtics to roll with plenty of small-ball lineups today, and while that will help on offense, it should also add value to these Pascal Siakam odds.
Pascal Siakam prop: Over 22.5 points (-122 at DraftKings)
Prop bet #2: Pritchard Over 7.5 points
Plenty of small-ball lineups for Boston should also mean lots of playing time for Celtics guard Payton Pritchard who has been their best bench player. Pritchard dropped 12 points on Thursday and has now scored in double-digits in five of seven games over the last two rounds.
Pritchard demonstrated what he was capable of towards the end of the regular season when he scored 16+ points in five of the last six games and went off for 38 points in the season finale. The 7.5 point total is modest, and I have no issue backing these Payton Pritchard odds.
Payton Pritchard prop: Over 7.5 points (-104 at FanDuel)
Prop bet #3: White Over 2.5 threes
One of the most surprising stats during the regular season was while the Pacers were 27th in the NBA in scoring defense (120.2 ppg), they allowed the fewest 3-pointers per game (10.7). However, they've been getting torched from beyond the arc lately, surrendering 14.3 threes per game over their last three contests.
Derrick White has been doing some of that damage, with the Boston guard going 4 of 8 from deep on Thursday and 3 of 8 on Tuesday. White has now drained more than 2.5 threes in seven of his last nine games. He's knocking down 4.0 threes per game at a 43.9% clip over that span, and he should have success from the arc again. Take a stab at these Derrick White odds.
Derrick White prop: Over 2.5 threes (-135 at DraftKings)
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