Boston, MA – The Boston Celtics staged a thrilling comeback to defeat the Indiana Pacers 114-111 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals, taking a commanding 3-0 series lead. Jayson Tatum led the charge for the Celtics, scoring 36 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and dishing out eight assists. Al Horford also played a key role, hitting a crucial 3-pointer in the final minutes to help seal the victory.
Despite a missed layup by Tatum late in the game, Jrue Holiday made a game-saving steal to secure the win for the Celtics. Holiday finished with 14 points, nine rebounds, and three steals. On the other side, Andrew Nembhard stepped up for the Pacers, scoring 32 points and dishing out nine assists in the absence of Tyrese Haliburton.
The Pacers’ bench, led by T.J. McConnell, put up a strong fight, but it was not enough to overcome the Celtics. McConnell, who had 23 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, helped keep the Pacers in the game. However, the Celtics’ defensive efforts and clutch plays down the stretch allowed them to emerge victorious.
Looking ahead to Game 4, the Celtics will need to tighten up their defense after giving up a significant number of points in the paint in Game 3. Despite the win, Boston will need to improve their performance to close out the series and advance to the NBA Finals. The Pacers, facing elimination, will need to regroup and come out strong in Game 4 to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The Celtics’ resilience and ability to come back from deficits have been key factors in their success throughout the playoffs. With Game 4 set to take place in Indiana, both teams will be looking to make strategic adjustments to gain the upper hand in the series. As the Celtics aim to secure their spot in the NBA Finals, the Pacers will be fighting to extend their postseason run.