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Are the Celtics enjoying the easiest path ever to an NBA Finals?

Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton will not play in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals and his status for Game 4 is in doubt, raising more concerns about the worthiness of the Boston Celtics' avenue to the NBA Finals.

Should Haliburton's left hamstring, which sidelined him for a stretch in January, cost him the rest of this series, the Celtics could face close-out games against a third straight opponent without its best player. Jimmy Butler missed the entirety of the Miami Heat's five-game opening-round loss to Boston. Donovan Mitchell missed the Cleveland Cavaliers' final two losses of a five-game Eastern Conference semifinals.