I’m an incredibly risk-averse person. I make Paul Blart look like an action movie stuntman.
So when I tell you it terrifies me to make the following bet, believe me. But I’ve got to do it.
The pick — Pacers ML vs. Celtics (+220, BetMGM)
- BetMGM offer: $1500 in Bonus Bets paid back
I know the status of Tyrese Haliburton is up in the air — and I would wait to see if he plays before really committing to this wager — but it’s a do-or-die game for an Indiana team that is 6-0 at home in the playoffs.
The Pacers have certainly had their struggles against Boston while falling into a 2-0 series deficit. They botched a late-game inbounds pass in Game 1 and subbed out their starters with nine minutes remaining in Game 2. For Indiana fans, the Eastern Conference finals have been an unpleasant experience so far.
It all turns around Saturday!
The Pacers are just a different team at home. They hold THE best home offensive rating in the postseason at 126.1. The Knicks are the next closest team at 121.7. Also, Indiana has an astounding assist percentage of 66.9% and a scorching true shooting percentage of 60.6%.
The point being: If you’re going to back a major underdog, this would be the situation to do so.
And even if Haliburton is out, the Pacers were 7-6 without him in the regular season, beating teams like the Heat, 76ers and Suns.
As far as risks go, this is very much jumping out of an airplane without a parachute and hoping to find a tree-heavy area to land. However, if Indiana is going to have ANY chance in this series (especially with a possible Kristaps Porzingis return in Game 4), Game 3 will be its all-or-nothing game. So let’s ride!
NBA postseason record: 8-7, +0.48 units