Pacers potential playoff opponents preview: Boston Celtics

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)
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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Cory Joseph Shane Larkin Celtics Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 18: Shane Larkin /

Pacers Bench v Celtics Bench

This one could get dicey. Thanks to the already discussed Kyrie injury, we don’t really know what the bench could look like for Boston. Their backup point guard could be the solid and effective Terry Rozier. It could also be the below average Shane Larkin. The latter is not scary at all, while the former had one of the most clutch plays of their year against Indiana.

Things look good elsewhere for McMillan and co. Celtics backup big man Daniel Theis had season-ending meniscus surgery in mid-March. This has forced Stevens to go with Greg Monroe at the backup five for Boston. Monroe is solid, but he is a much more favorable matchup for Domantas Sabonis since he is a weaker defender. Theis was a great defender this season, so his absence is a blow for Boston.

The other guys to watch on the Boston bench are the two Marcus’s: Morris and Smart. Morris has been great this year, posting a career-high three-point percentage while playing a hybrid wing-post role. Smart is one of the best wing stoppers in the league and is inexplicably better at shooting when he plays Indiana.

But that is where the train stops. Thanks to a long list of injuries, the Celtics bench is short, and Irving could make it shorter. Meanwhile, the Pacers have ten serviceable guys who they could mix and match to keep up with Boston’s reserves. Lance could get in Smart’s head (and vice-versa). CoJo could keep Rozier from scoring effectively. Sabonis could exploit Monroe’s weaknesses. GR3 could play his useful D on Morris. The options are endless, and Trevor Booker is the wildcard.

In terms of overall talent, this is probably a wash. But the Pacers have more guys, and ipso facto, more versatility.

Advantage: Pacers