NBA playoffs: Celtics face Pacers in Easter Conference Finals

State of playoffs: The Celts won each of their first two playoff series 4-1, most recently dispatching the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 15.

• The Pacers, meanwhile, needed seven games — the last on Sunday — to eliminate the New York Knicks after beating the Milwaukee Bucs in the first round.

Know your enemy: The Pacers are led by star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, the team's primary ballhandler and weapon. He's struggled against the Celtics, who have a collection of strong defenders.

• Indiana is coached by Rick Carlisle, a former NBA Coach of the Year who led the Dallas Mavericks to the title in 2011.

Fun fact: Carlisle was drafted by the Celtics in 1984 and played alongside Larry Bird on Boston's 1986 championship team.

The intrigue: The Celtics will hope to get Kristaps Porziņģis, the team's key offseason addition, back from a calf injury at some point during the series, though likely not tonight.

• Porziņģis strained his right calf in the final game against the Miami Heat in Round 1 before missing the entire Cavaliers series.

By the numbers: The Celts opened as 9-to-1 favorites to win the series and advance to the NBA Finals.

If you go: Tickets are available starting at about $130. Or you can watch on ESPN.