Celtics Outlast Pacers in Eastern Conference Final Opener

Boston Celtics – Indiana Pacers : 133-128

Boston leads the series 1-0

This Eastern Conference final starts very strong. The two best attacks in the playoffs find themselves face to face and the two teams made their mark in Game 1, where 261 points were scored. It took overtime to decide between them and it was ultimately Boston which narrowly won against Indiana. But the Celtics were hot. They can thank Jaylen Brown, author of a very difficult three-point basket to snatch overtime 6 seconds from the buzzer.

Jayson Tatum took over next. He scored 10 of his team’s 16 points during the five extra minutes. Almost as many points as the Pacers (11) alone in OT. The All-Star winger finished with 36 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and also 3 steals. Jrue Holiday added 28 points and Brown 26.

The Pacers can blame themselves because they really didn’t come far from taking this first game in Massachusetts. They lost two balls when they had a 3-point lead in the last 30 seconds. The second led to Brown’s game-winning basket for the equalizer. Rick Carlisle’s players have also conceded 21 TOs in total.

But they were in the game until the end, notably by attacking the Celtics in the paint. Kristaps Porzingis is still missing due to a calf injury and could be out until Game 4 of the series. Without its rim protection, Boston conceded 56 points in the paint last night. Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam both dominated the opposing interiors by scoring 23 and 24 points respectively with 10 and 12 rebounds. Tyrese Haliburton had 25 points and 10 assists for Indiana.

In the end, Joe Mazzulla’s men secured the essentials with this first victory. They will look to make the break during Game 2, played Thursday evening.

2024-05-22 10:35:30
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