Celtics’ Strong Start
The Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA 2023-24 season kicked off with an intense showdown between the Indiana Pacers and the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden, Celtics’ home court. In a thrilling encounter, the Celtics clinched a narrow victory over the Pacers with a final score of 133-128 in overtime. The Celtics capitalized on their home advantage, with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum delivering standout performances, securing the series lead with a hard-fought win.
Celtics Dominate Early
The Celtics wasted no time asserting their dominance, leveraging their home-court advantage to establish a commanding lead. Led by the dynamic duo of Tatum and Brown, along with veteran presence Al Horford, the Celtics surged ahead with a 12-0 run at the start of the game, setting the tone for a formidable performance.
Pacers Fight Back
Despite the Celtics’ early onslaught, the Pacers regrouped after a timeout, finding their rhythm on offense. Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, and Myles Turner spearheaded the Pacers’ comeback efforts, aided by a spirited performance from bench player Obi Toppin, narrowing the deficit and keeping the game competitive.
Momentum Shifts
As the game progressed, both teams traded blows, with the Celtics maintaining a double-digit lead thanks to contributions from Brown, Horford, and Jrue Holiday. However, the Pacers rallied behind Turner’s versatile play and the playmaking abilities of Tyrese Haliburton and Siakam, knotting the score at 64 apiece heading into halftime.
Back-and-Forth Battle
The third quarter saw a back-and-forth exchange as both teams refused to relinquish control. With the game hanging in the balance, the Pacers briefly seized the lead behind Haliburton’s clutch plays, only to be met with a swift response from the Celtics, who mounted a 7-0 run to regain the advantage.
Overtime Drama
As the tension mounted in the final minutes of regulation, the Pacers showcased their resilience, propelled by Turner’s outside shooting and Haliburton’s late-game heroics. However, clutch plays from Tatum and Brown forced overtime, where the Celtics ultimately emerged victorious, fueled by Tatum’s clutch three-pointer and defensive efforts sealing the win.(FADA888)
| Statistic | Celtics | Pacers |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals Attempted | 47/99 | 53/99 |
| Field Goal Percentage | 47.5 | 53.5 |
| Three-Point Shots | 15/45 | 13/35 |
| Three-Point Percentage | 33.3 | 37.1 |
| Free Throws | 24/30 | 9/10 |
| Free Throw Percentage | 80.0 | 90.0 |
| Total Rebounds | 43 | 44 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 13 | 10 |
| Defensive Rebounds | 30 | 34 |
| Assists | 30 | 38 |
| Blocks | 5 | 4 |
| Steals | 11 | 8 |
| Turnovers | 14 | 21 |
| Points in the Paint | 58 | 56 |
| Personal Fouls | 15 | 23 |