Indiana Pacers playoff roundtable: Who will win the series?

What is your official prediction for the series result? And in how many games?

Parrish – I have Boston winning in six. That pains me to say, but I think the Celtics are built for the playoffs and have the depth necessary to get the job done over the course of the series. Even without Marcus Smart, I think they have plenty of talent to move past Indiana relatively easily.

Furr – I think the Pacers fall in 6. While these teams finished very close in the standings, the team with the best player typically wins the playoff series. Kyrie Irving is the best player between the two teams, and it’s not relatively close. Gordon Hayward is only getting healthier and more comfortable. The blue and gold have a real shot here, but I don’t think enough things will break right for them in the end.

Matthes – I don’t know. The Celtics have shown that they can win a pressure-packed game in Indiana while the Pacers haven’t shown they can do the same in Boston, so that doesn’t bode well. If Indiana can’t defend the Fieldhouse the series will be a quick gentleman’s sweep in Boston’s favor. If the Pacers hold serve then Boston wins in seven. Indy’s margin for error is nonexistent in this series. The question is can the Pacers take at least a game if not two in Boston? The last month has given few indications that they can. But the last thought, that is in Indiana’s favor: Boston is under tremendous stress this postseason, they were supposed to be title contenders, and here they are in the 4-5 series. The Celtics never meshed. Irving has given strong hints that he might not be long for Celtic green. If the Pacers can take an early game, and seize homecourt, the pressure on Boston will be like an ocean trench. Indy doesn’t have such pressure, the Pacers only have the odds heavily stacked against them.

Pfeifer – Indy falls in six games to the Celtics, making each game close but ultimately outmatched by Boston’s star power.

Eggers: Talent is most likely going to win out, but the Pacers are going to give the Celtics a serious run for their money. Ultimately, not having Oladipo to match up with Kyrie offensively and not having homecourt advantage is what will cost them. Celtics in 7.

This series should be a fun one. The Indiana Pacers will have their hands full, but they can win if they play well.