Pictures often tell the full story and they do here, Boston again rallying from a big deficit – 18 points just as Dallas did earlier in the week – to stun Indiana on the Pacers’ home floor and take a historically unassailable series lead in their Eastern Conference finals matchup, punctuated by Jrue Holiday’s clutch defensive play late on. Unwell and struggling with his shot, that didn’t matter.
ECF Finals: Boston bounce back, yet again, to lead 3-0
AFTER posting a season-high 28 points in their comeback win to start the series, Jrue Holiday produced an efficient double-double (15 points on 6-of-7 shooting including three 3PM, 10 assists) as they eased to a double-digit Game 2 victory (126-110) at home.
Postgame after another recovery result to put the series in win-or-go-home mode for Rick Carlisle’s inexperienced Indiana, Jayson Tatum wasn’t afraid to share the fact his teammate, struggling largely (4-of-10 FG, 1-of-6 from 3PM, three turnovers) probably wouldn’t have played had this been a regular season game.
“He was feeling sick this morning and didn’t even come to shootaround, to put it all on the line for us – a big play to win the game – hell of a team. Glad we got him, hell of a competitor and obviously won a championship.”
Indiana got 22 points each from big man Myles Turner and midseason acquisition Pascal Siakam as well as a 23-point outing off the bench from their spark plug in crafty guard T.J. McConnelll with Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) sidelined.
Yet despite holding a commanding scoreboard lead for large periods in Game 3, couldn’t create separation or get consistent defensive stops against a Boston team who seemingly knew when to drive to the basket for two, or drill a corner three.
Al Horford sunk a career-high seven overnight, and Joe Mazzulla’s team needed every one down the stretch as they battled back once more to create a dramatic finale in Indianapolis. Tatum hit five triples, finishing with a 36-10-8 statline.
“No lead is safe anymore, there’s lots of time to play and we’ve got to keep fighting. Al was big-time for us – his leadership, presence, whether he’s hitting shots or protecting the rim – he keeps us all together.”
Tatum missed a driving layup that would’ve given Boston a three-point lead with 10.0 left and Andrew Nembhard, enjoying a career-night (32 points, nine assists, four rebounds) rebounded possession before advancing past halfcourt with time expiring.
Holiday stripped him with an excellent steal and while Carlisle complained, believing his second-year guard was fouled, officials instead went to the replay monitor assessing whether Siakam’s subsequent infringement on Holiday was a clear path or personal take foul as the 33-year-old raced away to convert two key free throws.
After a lengthy delay, the latter was given and Aaron Nesmith missed a decent look against the ball club who drafted him to send this frenzied clash into overtime.
“Close-out games are the hardest, last year we were down 0-3 and forced a Game 7 so it’s not over,” Tatum referencing last year’s Miami series when asked about the dynamic now. Given their opponents are without their All-Star guard and creator-in-chief Haliburton (hamstring), it will certainly feel that way after a gut punch ending.
What’s next?
Although injuries have played their part and many wouldn’t have predicted this outcome at the start of the postseason, it’s looking increasingly like a Dallas vs. Boston showdown in this season’s NBA Finals, set to start on June 6.
Up next before then…
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Dallas Mavericks
Game 3, Western Conference Finals (Mavs lead 2-0)
Live on TNT overnight Monday, 1am BST
Indiana Pacers vs. Boston Celtics
Game 4, Eastern Conference Finals (Boston lead 3-0)
Live on ESPN overnight Tuesday, 1am BST
Picture source: Getty Images, Tatum quotes via ABC postgame broadcast
Mo and Sports 