‘They’re not going anywhere’: Kendrick Perkins revealed his Celtics-Pacers prediction
"Whether the world believes in them or not, they believe in themselves."
Kendrick Perkins unveiled his Celtics-Pacers prediction: The Celtics and Pacers get underway in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday night, pitting the No. 1 seed against the No. 6 seed.
By that measurement alone, Boston is the overwhelming favorite. Even taken in context, the Celtics are seen by experts as a -1300 betting favorite, according to Vegas Insider.
Yet not everyone predicts a Boston runaway. In fact, one of the voices forecasting a tight series is none other than Kendrick Perkins, a member of the Celtics’ 2008 championship team (now an ESPN analyst).
Speaking on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday, Perkins was asked if he thinks Indiana has a chance of matching up with Boston.
“I do,” Perkins replied. “Look, it starts off with the depth, right? You look at T.J. McConnell. He’s a damn dog, OK. We’re watching Aaron Nesmith. He’s returning back to Boston, a team that drafted him, a team that gave up on him. He’s going to have a chip on his shoulder.”
Perkins also pointed out that the addition of former Raptors forward Pascal Siakam, acquired in January, has been a clear boost to Indiana’s lineup.
Combined together, the former Celtic sees his old team getting pushed to the brink.
“I have this series going seven games, OK?” Perkins predicted. “I give the nod to the Celtics, but this Indiana Pacers team has shown me something these first two rounds. They’re not going anywhere.
“Whether the world believes in them or not, they believe in themselves. That’s the most important thing, and they’re showing it. They’re showing it and they’re not backing down from anyone. You want to play physical? We can do that. We’re gonna put up points because we arguably have the best pure point guard in the league, Tyrese Haliburton, who wants to get everyone involved.”
Trivia: Kendrick Perkins was a member of the famous 2003 NBA Draft that included LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwyane Wade (among others). James is now the only player from the class still active in the NBA. Anthony is second in longevity, having played 19 seasons. Can you name the player from the 2003 draft who ranks third?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: He played 17 seasons. Originally selected in the second round by the Nets (who he never actually played for), he went on to feature for the 76ers, Hawks, Jazz, Bulls, Cavaliers, and Bucks. He made one All-Star appearance with Atlanta in 2015.
Scores and schedules:
The Red Sox got a 5-0 win over the Rays on Monday, with Tanner Houck pitching seven scoreless innings, and Rafael Devers breaking the Red Sox team record for home runs in consecutive games (with six). The two teams play again this evening at 6:50 p.m.
Tonight, the Celtics and Pacers begin the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden at 8 p.m.
Also tonight, PWHL Boston and PWHL Minnesota play Game 2 of the Walter Cup Finals at the Tsongas Center at 7 p.m. Boston leads the best-of-five series 1-0.
More from Boston.com:
- Rafael Devers sets team record by homering in 6th straight game as Red Sox top Rays 5-0
- PWHL Minnesota at Boston Game 2 preview: Hosts can get within one win of Walter Cup
- A player-by-player breakdown of the Pacers roster
- Red Sox pitcher Garrett Whitlock has ligament damage, surgery likely
- Jerod Mayo said he can already tell Drake Maye will put in ‘extra work’
- Jerod Mayo offers injury updates on Kendrick Bourne, Cole Strange
- Former Patriots WR announces retirement after 9 years in NFL
- Patriots WR JuJu Smith-Schuster admits his knee was at ’60 percent’ last offseason
- Former Red Sox pitcher arrested in Florida in an underage sex sting, sheriff says
- Rich Shertenlieb gets his WZLX show off the ground with a familiar vibe and only minor glitches
- 5 priorities for the Bruins this offseason
- How Joe Mazzulla’s hammering of mental toughness became the Celtics’ ‘biggest growth’
- Eastern Conference finals is a matchup of season-long favorite Celtics and proud underdog Pacers
Devers does it again: The Red Sox third baseman walloped his sixth home run in as many games, setting a new club record.
Drake Maye isn’t the only Patriots rookie quarterback: Joe Milton was among the rookies to show off some natural ability during the first day of OTAs.
On this day: In 1987, the Celtics took a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals over the Pistons with a 110-101 win. Larry Bird led Boston with 31 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds.
Daily highlight: Arturs Silovs made an extraordinary save to prevent a goal in the Canucks-Oilers Game 7 on Monday. Unfortunately for Vancouver, it wouldn’t prove to be enough as the Oilers won the end, 3-2.
Trivia answer: Kyle Korver
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