Celtics Rally From 18 Points Down to Win Game Three of Eastern Conference Finals, One Victory Away from NBA Finals
This was the first home playoff Eastern Conference Final at Gainbridge Fieldhouse since 2014. Even without having Tyrese Haliburton, due to injury, the Pacers were one shot away from winning this game. Jayson Tatum was mic'd up during the ESPN/ABC broadcast and he stated that Game Three is his favorite game in every series. Little did we know what we would be in store for. The Celtics would come back from an 18-point deficit to win Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals to take a 3-0 series lead and only one win away from the NBA Finals.
The Celtics picked up where they left off from Game Two, making their first six field goals without missing. It was the beginning of another high-scoring game, scoring 16 points in the opening three minutes. Jayson Tatum was a big factor in the quick scoring spree, already scoring more points in the opening quarter than he did in the entire first half last game. Even with their elite scoring early on, the Pacers were not backing down. Pascal Siakam took it upon himself to be the lead catalyst in their fast-tempo offense.
To make matters worse for Indiana, Myles Turner was treated for low-back soreness. Mike Breen reported that he would return after leaving for the locker room about halfway through the first quarter. The physicality levels were arising after some questionable officiating in the early going. Joe Mazzulla was expressing his frustrations to the officials after there was a missed call on Jaylen Brown, an obvious foul that was missed. With both teams in the bonus, it led to a high-scoring opening quarter. Behind Tatum’s opening 15 first-quarter points, the Celtics led 32-31 at the end of the first 12 minutes,
Derrick White opened up the second quarter with his second block of the game, showcasing why he was Second All-NBA Defensive Team. The Celtics cooled down from their nine-for-11 start, only making three of their next 12 shots from the floor. They can not afford to have these cold spells as the Pacers can score in the blink of an eye. Another example of bad officiating was shown as Derrick White was given a Flagrant One foul in his “reckless” contest against Myles Turner’s three-point attempt. Everyone on the broadcast was stunned by the call as they were all expecting a common foul. This led to Indiana creating an 18-point advantage, their highest of the series. During this run, the Pacers were shooting nearly 65% from the floor and the Celtics’ defense couldn’t stop them on their 20-point turnaround.
We witnessed a spectacular performance from the Pacers offense in the second quarter. They outscored Boston 38-25, mostly behind the efforts of Andrew Nembhard. Shooting eight of 10 from the floor, including three for three from behind the arc, was something we haven’t seen from him this series. Stephen A. Smith spoke at halftime about Nembhard’s play, “He looks like Luka Doncic. It’s unbelievable.” T.J. McConnell was well on his way to a triple-double, already scoring 12 points, grabbing four rebounds, and dishing out five assists. His work off the bench has been spectacular this postseason. Even though the Celtics outscored the Pacers from the three-point line, 30-9, Indiana led 69-57 at the break.
It hasn’t mattered who was defending the Pacers, they simply couldn’t guard them. Having two members of the All-Defensive team, I would expect the Celtics to be able to defend much better. There was no resistance to straight-line drives and the help was rotating far too late. Again, T.J. McConnell is the glue that holds this Pacer squad together. Without having their leader in Haliburton, his minutes were as important as ever. They were on their way to crush the spirits of the Celtics until they picked up their defensive intensity. The Celtics had a stretch of four straight possessions where they blocked at least one shot. After the Pacers once led by 18, the Celtics had narrowed it down to just nine points at the end of the third.
Marc Davis, head official in tonight’s game, sure does know how to hold a grudge. There were countless missed calls and calls that should not have been made. Now, that is not the reason that the Pacers were shooting so well from the floor, but they had several calls go their way. When nobody else could hit a three, Al Horford stepped up. He was seven of 12 from beyond the arc which kept them in it. This was also Horford’s, 17-season veteran, career high in threes made in a game. A quick spurt from the Pacers just about put the game away. Andrew Nembhard was, without question, having the game of his life. It was a total team effort down the stretch to hold onto their lead.
With 38.9 seconds remaining, Jrue Holiday converted an and-one to give the Celtics a one-point lead. This was a huge momentum swing and it silenced the home crowd. Andrew Nembhard would then go on to miss a contested floater in the next possession and Horford came down with the rebound. A Celtics’ timeout was used to draw up on offensive play to make it more than a one-point game but Jayson Tatum went on to miss his layup attempt off the front of the rim. Nembhard grabbed the rebound and raced down the court but All-NBA Defensive Team, Jrue Holiday was there to meet him. Holiday stripped the ball away from Nembhard and raced down the court with mere seconds left on the clock and was fouled by Siakam with 1.7 seconds left. Holiday made both free throws to extend the lead to three. Aaron Nesmith was given the final shot off the inbounds and his fadeaway corner three was no good.
This was an unbelievable performance from both parties. The Pacers have played better than the Celtics in two games this series but still have yet to win a game. A combined effort from Jrue Holiday’s “flu game,” Al Horford’s seven three-pointers, Jayson Tatum being Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown giving a solid 24 points, and Derrick White’s four blocks was everything the doctor ordered to win this game. Nobody can say that the Celtics aren’t battle-tested anymore with this win tonight. A lot of disrespect has been pointed toward the Celtics this postseason, especially toward key players like Jayson Tatum and Al Horford. Once Kristaps Porzingis returns, good luck to their opponents because this team will finally be back at full strength.
