The Boston Celtics can put a 3-0 stranglehold on the Indiana Pacers.

The pregame narrative: Boston stole a victory in Game 1 and then blew the doors off Indiana in Game 2. With Tyrese Haliburton's status up in the air, I expect the Celtics to rout the Pacers yet again. My best bet is for Derrick White to clear his points and assist total.

Check out the full Celtics vs. Pacers picks for Game 3 on Saturday, May 25.

Celtics vs. Pacers picks

Best Bet: White over 20.5 points and assists (-129)

White hasn't led me astray in this series.

I backed the point guard to go over this exact total in Game 1 and he came through with 15 points and nine assists. And on Thursday I needed him to clear 12.5 points in a +340 same-game parlay. He nearly doubled that with 23 points and the bet cashed.

White also added six helpers in Game 2 and is now averaging 26.5 PA this series. It's a little curious to see his line this low yet again.

He is averaging 18.3 points and 4.4 assists (22.7 PA) in the playoffs and has cleared this line in seven of 12 games.

Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis were supposed to be Boston's Big Three but White has assumed the latter's role since his injury.

White is taking the third-most shots per game (13.5) this playoff and is cashing threes at a 43.6% clip.

His abilities as a scorer are undeniable and now he's racking up assists, too. This should be a sinch so long as he sees his regular minutes.

Key stat: White has cleared this mark in three straight games versus Indiana, recording 29 PA twice.

Quick pick

Celtics -7 (-114): Even if Haliburton was playing and was at 100% I'd love the Celtics at this number.

Boston's only blemishes this postseason were a pair of Game 2 losses to the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers — and oddly enough, both of those came at home.

The Celtics are 4-0 on the road with a +15.3 net rating in the playoffs. For context, the next best team in terms of road net rating is the Minnesota Timberwolves at +7.8 (5-1 record).

Boston is 3-0-1 against this number in those contests and has covered a 7-point spread in eight of 11 playoff games with one push.

It's worth mentioning Indiana is 6-0 at home in the playoffs but it has played the Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Milwaukee Bucks and a severely banged-up New York Knicks. Boston is a different beast entirely.

Picks as of 3:02 p.m. on 05/24/2024.