The 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament has reached the Knockout Stage, and the Boston Celtics are facing a crucial matchup against the Indiana Pacers. The stakes are clear: win and advance to Las Vegas, lose and be eliminated from the tournament.

The Celtics have had a rocky path to this point, needing several favorable outcomes to make it to the Knockout Stage. However, now they have a chance to secure a trip to Las Vegas and a berth in the semifinals.

In their matchup against the Pacers, the Celtics will be without Kristaps Porzingis due to a calf injury, while the availability of Tyrese Haliburton for the Pacers is uncertain due to an illness.

According to SportsLine, the Celtics are favored by 5 points in this matchup, with an over/under set at 241.5 points. The SportsLine Projection Model, which has a strong track record in predicting NBA games, has made its picks for this game.

If the Celtics come out victorious, they will move on to face either the New York Knicks or Milwaukee Bucks in the semifinals in Las Vegas. However, if they lose, they will still have a chance to bounce back in a regular-season game on Friday night, which they will host regardless of the outcome.

The Celtics fans will be eagerly awaiting the outcome of this make-or-break matchup as they hope for a successful trip to Las Vegas in the NBA In-Season Tournament.