Celtics Come Through, Top Pacers In Game 1
The Boston Celtics defeated the Indiana Pacers, 133-128, at TD Garden in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday. The Celtics lead the series 1-0.
The Celtics and the Pacers delivered an intense game in the opening matchup of the East Finals, and if the entire series is as fierce as Tuesday’s game, then basketball fans all over the world will be in for a treat. The Celtics enjoyed a solid start to the contest with a 34-31 lead in the first quarter, but the Pacers wouldn’t go away. The game remained close throughout the opening three quarters, and at one point, it seemed the Pacers would pull the upset after flipping the script in the fourth quarter. Indiana led by as much as five in the final quarter, but a late three-pointer from Jaylen Brown sent the game to overtime. Even though the Pacers also had chances in OT, Boston executed better down the stretch, and Jayson Tatum made a couple of clutch buckets to carry the Celtics to victory. Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday at TD Garden.
Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 36 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Jrue Holiday posted 28 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals. Jaylen Brown had 26 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals. Derrick White posted 15 points, nine assists, six rebounds and two steals. Al Horford notched 15 points, six rebounds and three blocks. The Celtics shot 47.5 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from deep.
The Pacers had seven players scoring in double digits in Monday’s loss. Tyrese Haliburton led the way with 25 points, 10 assists, three rebounds and three steals. Myles Turner had 23 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Pascal Siakam recorded 24 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. Aaron Nesmith posted 14 points and six boards before fouling off. Andrew Nembhard recorded 12 points. Obi Toppin (15 points) and T.J. McConnell (13 points, four assists) chipped in off the bench for a Pacers team that shot 53.5 percent from the floor and 37.1 percent from three-point range.
The Celtics and the Pacers delivered an intense game in the opening matchup of the East Finals, and if the entire series is as fierce as Tuesday’s game, then basketball fans all over the world will be in for a treat. The Celtics enjoyed a solid start to the contest with a 34-31 lead in the first quarter, but the Pacers wouldn’t go away. The game remained close throughout the opening three quarters, and at one point, it seemed the Pacers would pull the upset after flipping the script in the fourth quarter. Indiana led by as much as five in the final quarter, but a late three-pointer from Jaylen Brown sent the game to overtime. Even though the Pacers also had chances in OT, Boston executed better down the stretch, and Jayson Tatum made a couple of clutch buckets to carry the Celtics to victory. Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday at TD Garden.
Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 36 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Jrue Holiday posted 28 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals. Jaylen Brown had 26 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals. Derrick White posted 15 points, nine assists, six rebounds and two steals. Al Horford notched 15 points, six rebounds and three blocks. The Celtics shot 47.5 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from deep.
The Pacers had seven players scoring in double digits in Monday’s loss. Tyrese Haliburton led the way with 25 points, 10 assists, three rebounds and three steals. Myles Turner had 23 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Pascal Siakam recorded 24 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. Aaron Nesmith posted 14 points and six boards before fouling off. Andrew Nembhard recorded 12 points. Obi Toppin (15 points) and T.J. McConnell (13 points, four assists) chipped in off the bench for a Pacers team that shot 53.5 percent from the floor and 37.1 percent from three-point range.