Pacers potential playoff opponents preview: Boston Celtics

By Tony East | Apr 4, 2018

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 09: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers drives to the basket against Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on February 9, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /

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Kyrie Irving Darren Collison Pacers Celtics

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 18: Kyrie Irving /

Point guard matchup: Darren Collison v Kyrie Irving

I wish I could use a huge font here to type a huge asterisk. Kyrie Irving’s health status is still in question, so it is hard to say if he will play in the early portion of the postseason. If he does, he is obviously the winner of this matchup. 24.4 points per game, a five-time all-star, and one of the most jubilating players to watch in the whole league. Kyrie is simply incredible.

But there is a chance he does not play after having a wire removed from his knee in a recent surgery. If that is the case, Terry Rozier would be the Celtics starting point guard. Pacers fans are all too familiar with Rozier after his steal and dunk helped the Celtics steal a win from the Pacers back in December.

Rozier has made some substantial improvements this season, getting his scoring average into the double digits and turning himself into a useful defender. But he isn’t as good as Collison.

So what difference is bigger? The difference in talent between Kyrie and Collison or the gap between DC and Rozier? I would say the former, and thus I will hedge my bet:

Advantage: Celtics (but, injuries could change this)

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