NBA scout Jeff Nelson has never worked for the Boston Celtics but it seems as if he’s done a lot of defending them and their run in 2023-24.
Especially now.
“You hear the national media talk about the Celtics being unimpressive that they don’t trust them,” said Nelson. “I think too many people harp on issues that the Celtics might have instead of their strengths.
“In my opinion, they’ve been the best team in the playoffs,” said Nelson. “Sure, the teams they’ve played have been injured, but they took care of business. That’s what very good teams do.”
If the Knicks had beat the Pacers, Nelson saw the games slowing down into the low 100s.
With the Pacers pulling off the upset in Game 7 on Sunday, Nelson sees lots and lots of points.
“I think you’re going to see a few 130-120 games,” said Nelson. “The Celtics could play either way, but honestly, they are built for these up and down, wide open games.”
The Pacers, though, could be a threat if the Celtics are sloppy with the basketball, as in multiple turnovers by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
“You saw it in Game Seven,” said Nelson. “You turn the ball over, like the Knicks did early, and the Pacers don’t mess around. They score. Protecting the basketball will be important.”
The Pacers start three guards – Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith – which is gives the Celtics an advantage in size.
“Nesmith will probably cover Brown. Haliburton will cover [Jrue] Holiday. [Pascal] Siakam will cover Tatum. and Newmbard on [Derrick] White,” said Nelson. “That’s a good matchup for the Celtics. Expect Tatum to take advantage of Siakam.”
The past two years these Celtics have been built for high-scoring games, relying on 3-pointers, usually open 3-pointers.
The Celtics should get that opportunity.
The biggest difference though, even with Halliburton playing at near-superstar level, is the Celtics experience.
They’ve won 44 playoff games the last five years.
This is the first year Indiana has made the playoffs over that span. and they have won, eight games.
“If the Celtics win both games in Boston, even if they are close, it would be too tough for Pacers to win four of the next five,” said Nelson. “That Game Two issue the Celtics had the last two series … they don’t want to do that here. The Pacers are young and have a swagger, you don’t want them to go back to Indiana with confidence.”
Nelson predicts that T.J. McConnell, the Pacers first guard off the bench, will catch the ire of Celtics fans. He isn’t afraid to start some conversations when the Pacers are rolling.
“By Game Two he will be hated in Boston,” said Nelson. “He’s a great guy to have on the bench. He’s got energy. He plays tough defense. He’s kind of a pain in the neck.”
“The Celtics have paid their dues to get here,” said Nelson. “And they’re rested and relatively healthy compared to the Pacers, who are a bit worn down after a six game series with the Bucks and now seven with the Knicks.”
Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, says Nelson, rank among the top five defensive guards in the league, maybe the best two. They will be able to throw that duo, maybe even Jaylen Brown, to throw at Halliburton, who is playing at an elite level.
“That’s been the case all season,” said Nelson. “The Celtics have a lot of very good players, guys you can depend on. We take it for granted, but they wear teams down on both sides of the ball.
“I see the Celtics winning both games in Boston and losing one in Indiana,” said Nelson. “Celtics in five. I’d be surprised if it went longer.”
You can email Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com.