The Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers faced off in an Eastern Conference Finals rematch, where Indiana got their revenge in a 135-132 overtime win. The Pacers led for most of the game and looked to run away with it, leading by 24. But the Boston Celtics climbed back into it and forced overtime off a Jayson Tatum three. It was not enough, however, as the Pacers won to improve to 2-3. The Boston Celtics suffered their first loss of the season, dropping to 4-1.
The Indiana Pacers Hot Start
The Celtics and Pacers traded baskets early on, with no team able to build a significant lead. This went on until Jayson Tatum caught an elbow to the head off an errant pass. Tatum was fine, coming out of the timeout, the Indiana Pacers began to build a lead. Isaiah Jackson was effective for the Pacers, with 8 first quarter points. Jackson started at center with Myles Turner out and gave the Celtics problems with his rebounding and athleticism.
The Pacers ran their typical fast offense, and it led to points in transition. For Boston, Jaylen Brown was their one bright spot in the first quarter, with 8 points. A Derrick White three at the buzzer cut into the deficit, but the Pacers led 35-31 at the end of one. Indiana got out in transition again in the second quarter, scoring quick baskets. Pascal Siakam led the way with 17 points in the first half on 7-of-13 shooting, 3-of-4 on threes. A big run allowed the Pacers to extend their lead as the Celtics went on a cold stretch. The Boston Celtics missed shots, and the Pacers fast-paced offense gave Boston’s defense fits. At halftime, the Pacers led 67-57.
Indiana Pacers Pull Ahead
Pascal Siakam continued his hot shooting in the third quarter, draining back-to-back three pointers. The Boston Celtics defense could not contain the Pacers and no matter how hot or cold their shooting was, they struggled to get back into the game. The Pacers were simply outrunning them. They got to the glass, ran a better offense, and were more tenacious in transition. A 13-0 run put Indiana up 92-68. This run effectively put the game out of reach, but a Boston Celtics run made it 100-86 at the end of the third quarter.
A Boston Celtics Comeback
In the fourth quarter, the Celtics did what they could to make a comeback. Indiana maintained their lead for most of the quarter, and it looked like they would cruise to victory, but Boston continued to fight. At one point, they cut the Pacers lead to 9 with just over two minutes remaining. Then, a Derrick White bucket followed by a steal gave the Celtics life.
Two Jayson Tatum free throws made the score 122-117 with 1:28 to go. On the ensuing possession, the Pacers turned it over again and a Jaylen Brown dunk suddenly made it a three-point game. Then, Jayson Tatum was fouled on a fast break and sent to the line. He made both free throws and it was a one-point game.
The final sequence in regulation was electric. Tyrese Haliburton ended the Pacers scoring drought with a clutch mid-range fadeaway to put the Pacers up three. Jayson Tatum then followed this up with a quick three to tie the game. The Boston Celtics looked dead in the water but locked in defensively and battled back in the game to force overtime after trailing by as much as 24 points. They ended the fourth quarter on a 14-2 run.
Overtime
In overtime, a Tyrese Haliburton three put the Pacers up. After a couple traded possessions, Derrick White tied it back up with a three of his own. With two minutes to go, the game was tied 128-128. A Benedict Mathurin reverse layup but Indiana back up, but a pair of Payton Pritchard free throws tied it again. A goaltending call on a Derrick White layup gave the Boston Celtics their first lead in overtime. They just needed to hold onto it.
But a Pascal Siakam bucket over Jaylen Brown knotted the game once more. Then, on the game’s final possession, Pascal Siakam drained a three with 6 seconds left. That sealed the win for the Indiana Pacers, handing the Boston Celtics their first loss of the season, 135-132.
Final Thoughts
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 29 points, shooting 6-of-8 from three. Tyrese Haliburton had a strong second half, finishing with 17 points, while Benedict Mathurin poured in 30 points off the bench. For the Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum led the comeback with 37 points. Derrick White also played well, scoring 23 points on 8-of-9 shooting. Jaylen Brown also had 25 points but missed multiple free throws in overtime and air-balled a potential game-tying three.
This is a statement win for the Pacers, improving to 2-3 and looking like the team that went to the Eastern Conference Finals last season. The Boston Celtics, on the other hand, exposed many issues despite the comeback. Boston’s defense was a problem and much of it stems from the center position. Al Horford is 38 and Luke Kornet is tall and long but lacks physicality. They found some success with Neemias Queta, but overall, the Boston Celtics are missing Kristaps Porzingis.
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