Celtics legend Paul Pierce makes bold prediction for Knicks vs Pacers playoff series

After Jayson Tatum went down with an injury, few believed the Boston Celtics could get past the New York Knicks. And they were right. Tom Thibodeau’s squad stayed sharp on offense, consistently breaking down Boston’s defense. Meanwhile, neither Jaylen Brown nor Derrick White found any rhythm on the offensive end. Following the Celtics’ elimination, franchise legend Paul Pierce did not hesitate to name his favorite team to win the series.

“Y’all, New York is up, all that. Pacers gonna pop y’all though. Y’all know that, right? Yeah, I know that...so I don’t even want to hear all that. Y’all feeling good. Y’all beat us,” stated Paul Pierce, throwing shade at the Knicks while backing Indiana. The Pacers dominated the Cleveland Cavaliers and closed the series in just five games. Because of that performance, many now view Indiana as a real threat to win the 2025 NBA Championship.

In addition, Paul Pierce talked about the Indiana Pacers and the conditions under which they managed to eliminate the Boston Celtics. “Y’all beat an injured Celtics team. Y’all beat an injured Celtics team, bro. We didn’t have our All-NBA player, first team, MVP candidate who led us in all these categories.“ With this, Pierce makes it clear that it was the decline of Jayson Tatum that truly gave the Pacers advantages, not his talent.

Many fans believe the Celtics rely too much on Jayson Tatum. That, to them, is why the team lacks a winning draft. As a comparison, they often highlight the Oklahoma City Thunder’s athletic project. Despite having Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Mark Daigneault built a roster that does not revolve only around his star. Instead, the Thunder spread responsibilities. Even Jalen Williams stepped up in crucial stretches of the postseason.

Ben Sheppard #26 of the Indiana Pacers passes the ball off as Miles McBride #2 of the New York Knicks defends during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 10, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

This one-player dependency has drawn a lot of criticism towards Celtics’ head coach Joe Mazzulla. He manages a roster full of talent, yet struggles to maximize it. The reason, many argue, is his constant focus on Tatum. It does not fall on Jayson, who makes an impact in every game. However, when a team leans on one player too much, it becomes more vulnerable. Other teams, with balanced systems, handle adversity better.

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Boston Celtics face potential roster shake-up in the 2025 NBA offseason

The Boston Celtics have entered a new chapter under owner Bill Chisholm, and as expected, major changes could follow. In fact, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that the team payroll has reached $460 million. Moreover, he had already warned that an early elimination could force the Celtics to reshape the roster. Now, with financial pressure mounting, the front office may need to act quickly to avoid long-term damage.

Boston will begin the preseason with $231 million in salaries and another $263 million in tax penalties, as per ESPN. Furthermore, they also noted that every $3 million spent on a player could cost the team an extra $25 million.

Clearly, these numbers are alarming. Since NBA franchises operate like businesses, no team wants to bleed money. As a result, the Celtics could be forced to make difficult decisions to stay competitive and financially stable.

The front office, however, wants to keep its core (Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White) intact. Still, others may have to go. Therefore, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Sam Hauser are among the players with uncertain futures. To regain financial balance and avoid further penalties, Boston might have no choice but to move them.