East finals: Pacers vs. Celtics preview | Good Word with Goodwill

Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill is joined by the Boston Globe's Gary Washburn to break down the Eastern Conference finals matchup. Hear the full conversation on “Good Word with Goodwill” - part of the “Ball Don’t Lie” podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Video Transcript

How do you see this series playing out?

Because Boston was three and two against Indiana this year, the ends season tournament game included, which is why it's five games instead of four.

Is this gonna be another cakewalk like the first two series or do you see Indiana really giving Boston a run or just Boston playing with their food for?

I think that Indiana has enough talent to win one or two games in this series.

If you look at the season series, it's kind of a deceive me because they played like a lot in the first few months of the season and both teams are, are dramatically different.

Now, the question is especially in Indiana.

India can score with anybody.

We're gonna want to win every game in this series is 1 35 1 25 but they don't defend and they have lapses of just winning just in that New York City.

They just look at times uninterested impressed that they shot so well in game seven, but the Knicks willingly cut that game to six and then Butson Blakes his hand and if you should be there 70% better, you should win the game by more than 20 points.

Like I am not impressed with the mental makeup of the paces, but they can make it interesting because they can score Miles Turner can knock down threes Howard Burton when he's engaged and playing well and aggressive.

TJ mcconnell is a complete pest.

I mean, he's a guy that just annoys everybody but you want him, all your team, uh obe topic can hit threes, but I just don't see, think they defend well enough.

And I think the Celtics will figure out a way to defend the three point line to make them have to take contested in tough too.

And that's the thing like Indiana is not gonna compete unless they can knock the lb.

So it could be a three point contest.

And I don't think Indiana focuses enough on defense.

I think they played barely enough defense, um, to win the New York Series.

But I think it's a five, maybe six game series, those mental lapses.

You can't commit those against the Celtics.

And I think the Celtics think they're motivated.

I think they're rested.

They're a little pissed, they're ready to get back to the finals and they know that and I think they have a method of how to beat Indiana.

They can't let it turn into a Loyola Mary Mountain.

You cannot just let it turn into a game where nobody's defending and it's just free, willing.

And Indiana is very good at getting their opponents into that type of game.