Celtics vs Pacers: Jaylen Brown’s Stunning 3-Pointer Helps Celtics to a Thrilling Win In OT
Boston Celtics emerged winners in overtime over the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the 2024 Eastern Conference finals by 133-128. Jaylen Brown was the hero of the game as he hit a game-tying 3-pointer with six seconds left in regulation to force OT. The top-seeded Celtics held on in the extra period to take the lead in the Eastern Conference final.
The Celtics had a positive to start the game. Mazzulla won a challenge 35 seconds in which was the quickest challenge in NBA postseason history. But the Pacers paved their way back into the game and had the Celtics lead down to 34-31 at the end of the quarter.
Boston built back its lead in the second quarter but Myles Turner came into his own by throwing dunks and dishing out assists and eventually ended with 23 points on the night. Haliburton also turned the heat at the end of the half, draining a three from the Celtics in the closing seconds to tie the game at 64-64.
Pacers led the game for the first time when Haliburton scored the first five points of the second half. But the Celtics took back the lead immediately with a 7-0 run. Boston again went on a 13-0 run and were backed by some solid defense. But the Boston’s lead was cut again when Haliburton hit a ridiculous three pointer at the buzzer ending the scores at 94-93 at the end of third quarter.
Indiana went on a 7-0 run thanks to Siakam, who locked down on the defensive end and turned it into points for the Pacers. He snatched a bad pass by Brown out of the air, and then took a feed from Haliburton put Indy on top 108-104 around 4 minutes to play.
In the fourth quarter, the turnover rate for Indiana was 27.3%. Boston’s drought was ended with a three pointer from White but Pacers kept on piling the pressure. Just when it seemed it was game over for Celtics, they got hold of the ball one final time, Brown scored a game tying triple pointer to take the game to overtime.
In the overtime Tatum followed a 3-point play with a 3-pointer from the top of the arc, giving Boston the lead, and it was enough cushion to escape with a victory. The game eventually ended 133-128 giving the Celtics advantage going into the 2nd game.
Celtics v Pacers Game 2 Preview:
Celtics and Pacers will lock horns again in the 2nd game on Thursday, May 23 inside TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Boston will still be with without Kristaps Porzingis who is not expected to return before Game 4.
Pacers’ head coach Carlisle remained optimistic despite the heart breaking loss as he urged his side to bounce back in Boston on Thursday. “It’s unfortunate we did so many good things in this game that it came down to a couple of mistakes at the end, but it’s the NBA playoffs,” Carlisle said. “We’ve got to learn from it and we’ve got to bounce back.”
Pacers will look to bounce back immediately and given their performance in Game 1, this could be an exciting series for the neutrals.
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
