Locked On Celtics - Daily Podcast On The Boston Celtics Locked On Podcast Network

It doesn't matter how the Celtics are going, they're still getting disrespected on their way to another easy series win. What happened in Game 3 was real growth, according to John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm. They're buying into Joe Mazzulla and it shows. Rick Carlisle seemed especially salty after the loss, and he's trying to pull every string he can to motivate his team. Will the Pacers pull off a win, or will Boston finish this off in four?

The Celtics came out strong but the Indiana Pacers matched them shot for shot early on and then took off in the second quarter, hitting an ungodly amount of shots. They built up an 18 point lead but the Celtics kept chipping away and, after Joe Mazzulla refocused them in the third, they started to defend better and close the lead. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal gets into all that, the big closing kick that won Boston the game, Jrue Holiday's steal, Jayson Tatum's pass, and so much more.

Jaylen Brown went off for 40 points, tying a career-high, as the Celtics won Game 2 at home and took a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal discusses that, Jayson Tatum playing the 5 as Oshae Brissett got some surprise, minutes, Tyrese Haliburton's injury, and the little things that showed better discipline for the Celtics in Game 2.

Can the Celtics expect the same kind of Pacers performance for the entire series? What can the Celtics do better to help slow the Pacers down? John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm get into that, the tired narratives surrounding the Celtics, and Jaylen Brown's All-NBA snub.

The Pacers had this game won, but then they coughed the ball up twice and the Celtics were finally able to take advantage thanks to an amazing Jaylen Brown 3-pointer with less than six seconds to play. Jayson Tatum shook off a bad end of the fourth to seal the win in overtime an the Celtics won Game 1. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal talks about all that, how bad offense got Boston into trouble, a big game from Jrue Holiday, and a rough night for the bench.

The Celtics and Pacers have two big-time offenses, and both will be hard to stop. Can the Celtics defense slow down the Pacers enough to run away with these games, or will Indiana's ability to score in bunches make this series uncomfortable for Boston? John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tony East of Locked On Pacers get into both big-time scoring offenses, how the matchups will work, ways Boston can exploit the Pacers defense, and more in this crossover preview.