Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIMay 26, 2024
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE by means of Getty Images
The Boston Celtics got rid of an 18-point second-half deficit to beat the host Indiana Pacers 114-111 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday.
Jayson Tatum published 36 points, 10 rebounds and 8 helps for the Celtics, who now lead the Pacers 3-0 in the best-of-seven series. His finest play was a behind-the-back pass to Al Horford, who calmly struck a corner 3 to cut the Pacers’ result in 111-109 with 1:11 left.
NBA @NBA
HORFORD’S 7TH THREE CUTS IT TO 2!<< br><> < br>> Get to ABC for ending of Game 3 < a href="https://t.co/TcYqUQa8QR">> pic.twitter.com/TcYqUQa8QR
Jrue Holiday served as the Celtics’ late-game hero. His three-point have fun with 39 seconds left put Boston up 112-111 with 39 seconds staying.
NBA @NBA
CLUTCH AND-1. < br><> < br>> Down to the wire on ABC! << a href="https://t.co/59WEjVOf3P">> https://t.co/59WEjVOf3P << a href="https://t.co/0Hw8JOZn0o">> pic.twitter.com/0Hw8JOZn0o
That provided Boston its very first lead because the opening ownership of the 2nd quarter.
The Pacers and Celtics then traded empty belongings, however Indiana discovered itself with a closing possibility to take the lead after a Tatum miss out on with 10 seconds left.
Pacers secure Andrew Nembhard then charged up the court, however Holiday swiped at the ball for a huge take.
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JRUE HOLIDAY WITH THE STEAL < br><> < br>> CLAMPS. IN. THE. CLUTCH.<< br><> < br>> BOS up 1 with 1.1 left on ABC << a href="https://t.co/w0lOiBeuOb">> pic.twitter.com/w0lOiBeuOb
Vacation then calmly sank 2 totally free tosses for a 114-111 lead. Indiana still had one last opportunity at the tie, however Aaron Nesmith’s corner 3 fizzled.
The Pacers presented a significant effort in spite of missing out on All-NBA Third Team member Tyrese Haliburton (left hamstring pain).
Andrew Nembhard led Indiana with 32 points and 9 helps, while T.J. McConnell included 23 points, 9 rebounds and 6 helps off the bench. Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam pitched in 22 points each. That quartet put Indiana up 84-66 with 6 minutes left in the 3rd.
Boston lastly secured down on defense, holding Indiana to simply 27 points over the last 18 minutes. Tatum likewise scored 14 points in the last quarter-and-a-half to lead the Celtics, who are one win far from their 2nd Eastern Conference title in 3 years.
Vacation completed with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 3 takes. Jaylen Brown included 24 points.
Al Horford, who is still beginning in location of hurt huge male Kristaps Porziņģis (best calf stress), struck 7-of-12 3s en path to 23 points and 3 blocks.
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The << a href="https://twitter.com/celtics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">> @celtics< required all 7 of Al Horford's clutch threes in the resurgence win!<< br><> < br>> 23 PTS|7 3PM (profession high)<< br><> < br>> Boston takes a 3-0 lead in the ECF. << a href="https://t.co/zb1NV3xEyn">> pic.twitter.com/zb1NV3xEyn
For much of this video game, the Pacers fed off the home crowd’s incredible energy and appeared they were using roller blades. Their speed and power in the paint (68 points versus the Celtics’ 40) made a substantial distinction.
