The Boston Celtics stole Game 3 from the Indiana Pacers. Now they are up 3-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals—a lead no team has ever come back from in NBA history. The Celtics were expected to win since Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton was out with left leg soreness. Despite this, the Pacers stepped up and shined but ultimately fell short.
Overall, Game 3 did not highlight individual performances but showcased a collective effort from both teams. 3 Celtics players scored over 20 points, and two more scored over 10 points. Four Pacers players scored over 20 points. Both teams exceeded the average number of assists per game in the playoffs, with the Celtics at 24 and the Pacers at 32.
Game 3 Summary: How The Boston Celtics Came Back
The 1st quarter was close. The Boston Celtics managed to take an 8-point lead early in the 1st quarter. The Indiana Pacers pushed back to make it a 1-point game by the end of the 1st quarter. The Pacers kept their momentum going into the 2nd quarter, dominating and stacking up their biggest lead of the night at 18 points.
However, the Celtics cut the 18-point lead to 12 before the half. After a much-needed break, the Pacers came out strong in the 3rd quarter and regained a 16-point lead midway through the quarter. They could not hold that big of a lead, and the 3rd quarter ended with the Pacers only up by 9 points. At this point, the Celtics felt a strong opportunity to come back.
Early in the 4th quarter, the Celtics cut the Pacers’ lead down to only 3 points. However, the Pacers didn’t let them take the lead until 38.3 seconds were remaining in the game. The Celtics managed to tie the game, and Jrue Holiday drove into the lane and scored while drawing a foul. He made his free throw, putting the team up by 3 points. The Pacers had an opportunity to win it, but Jrue Holiday sealed the game with a clutch steal.
Honorable Mentions
Despite the absence of Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers stepped up as a team, resulting in some career-high playoff performances.
Andrew Nembhard surpassed both his regular season and postseason career highs with 32 points. Joining him was T.J. McConnell, who set a new career high for points in a playoff game with 23 points. Jayson Tatum was two assists shy of a 36-point triple-double. To stay up to date on this series, stay tuned to our NBA page.
For More Great Sports Content
Hunter is a lifelong sports fan. His main interests are in professional tennis and NBA basketball, he is a fan of almost every sport. He is a creative/technical writer who also tutors people in English.
To stay up to date with our content and the sports world. follow him on Twitter @HunterJPurivs, and follow us @TotalApexSports.
