The Pacers Podcast is back, right in time for the 2019 NBA postseason. They finished the season with a record identical to last season, 48-34, and they did it despite two-time All-Star Victor Oladipo only appearing in 36 games.

So, the Pacers are the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference and are matched up against No. 4 Boston (49-33). It is their first time meeting in the playoffs since 2005.

To preview the series, my colleague at The Athletic, Bob Kravitz, joined me for this episode — which was recorded on Friday after practice.

I will be with the Pacers on the road in Boston (and throughout the playoffs) for coverage on TheAthletic.com.

Subscribe to The Athletic here — and to the Pacers Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

I welcome your questions and comments @ScottAgness on Twitter or via email.

Topics Discussed:

* The Celtics losing Marcus Smart for the series

* Who Bob believes are the two most important players in the series

* The significance (or not) of home-court advantage for Boston

* How Oladipo’s injury impacted what the front office did at the trade deadline

* Myles Turner’s season

* Brad Stevens having to mange egos for the first time

* Why Bob says it’s the Celtics’ series to lose