THE Pacers can harbor immense regrets at the end of this first confrontation against Boston in the conference final, as they came so close to a resounding feat. These are ultimately the Celtics who had the last word, with the Holiday-Brown-Tatum triplet to reverse the situation at the last minute.
The Pacers took a nice slap from the start with a 12-0 which had the gift of waking up Rick Carlisle's troops. The 3-pointers of Jrue Holiday, Al Horford and the aerial finishes of Jaylen Brown on the counterattack were quickly eclipsed by Indiana's gradual return until halftime.
Andrew Nembhard and Tyrese Haliburton responded in turn from afar before giving way to the Obi Toppin show, author of 11 points to complete the first act and bring his team to -3 (34-31).
Boston regained momentum to briefly get back to +10 (47-37), but Indiana picked up straight away, this time relying on an untenable Myles Turner with 10 points in a row including two arrows at 3- points (52-47).
After two new 3-pointers from the Nembhard-Haliburton pair, it was former Celtic Aaron Nesmith who equalized on a ball saved by Pascal Siakam in transition (57-57). The two teams finished the first half back to back, with Tyrese Haliburton responding to Derrick White's 3-pointer at the last second (64-64).
The Pacers can blame themselves…
The game got a little more choppy after the locker room, and it was Boston who first took advantage, helped by Jayson Tatum's 9 points to go 13-0 (87-75). But the Pacers held on again, revived at the end of the third quarter by 3-pointers from Aaron Nesmith then Tyrese Haliburton, once again at the last second (94-93)!
The more time passed, the more pressure the Celtics found themselves under. Boston ended up cracking at the start of the “money-time” with a 7-0 initiated by a 3-pointer from Myles Turner and fueled by two baskets from Pascal Siakam (104-108). 3-pointers from Derrick White and Al Horford offered the locals several opportunities to get back into a tie, but Indiana held on, with two clutch baskets from Andrew Nembhard at mid-distance (114-117).
On the verge of victory, Indiana then stupidly lost the ball twice, on two ball outings, and ended up biting its fingers when Jaylen Brown equalized with a miraculous 3-pointer in the corner five seconds from the end to send the two teams into overtime (117-117).
Indiana's chance had just passed, because it was Boston who was able to finish stronger, finding Jayson Tatum twice, near the circle for a 2+1, then at the head of the racket for a 3-pointer synonymous with stunning victory for Boston in Game 1 (133-128).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Jay's to the rescue. The Celtics were off to a bad start in this first act against the eye-catching Pacers. In the heart of the storm, it took all the composure of Jaylen Brown on 3-pointers to save the day and send everyone into overtime with a masterful 3-pointer. Then, during overtime, it was Jayson Tatum who took responsibility with a 2+1, a liberating 3-pointer and precious throws to save the essentials. A small miracle for Boston, from which the Pacers could have difficulty recovering.
– Two unforgivable mistakes. The Pacers perhaps thought they had done the hardest part after recovering the ball at +3 in the final seconds of the last quarter. But twice, they stupidly lost two balls, which ended up costing them a victory that was within their reach. First there was the lack of vigilance of Aaron Nesmith, letting the ball slip over the line, then the uncontrolled reception on a throw-in from Pascal Siakam who ended up going off the ball, and especially allowed Jaylen Brown to score the 3-pointer of the evening… In overtime, Tyrese Haliburton in turn lost an important ball, punished by Jayson Tatum's 3-pointer.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
