Scottsdale, AZ — In a high-stakes battle at the TD Garden, the Boston Celtics emerged victorious against the Indiana Pacers, taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals. The game was a roller-coaster of emotions, with both teams leaving it all on the court.
The Celtics’ young star, Jayson Tatum, delivered a jaw-dropping performance. Tatum poured in 36 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out 8 assists. His versatility and clutch plays were instrumental in Boston’s comeback.
Despite battling illness, Jrue Holiday stepped up when it mattered most. With under 40 seconds left, he converted a crucial and-one layup, giving the Celtics the lead. His defensive intensity also disrupted the Pacers’ offense, including a pivotal steal from Andrew Nembhard.
Al Horford was on fire from beyond the arc, sinking 7-of-12 three-pointers. His timely shots swung the momentum in Boston’s favor, and he finished with 23 points.
The pacers tried their best to win the game without their star player. Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard had a breakout game, scoring 32 points and distributing 9 assists. His performance kept Indiana in the hunt.
Pascal Siakam (22 points) and T.J. McConnell (23 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists) battled hard for the Pacers. Their efforts weren’t enough to overcome the Celtics’ resilience.The Pacers sorely missed All-Star Tyrese Halliburton, who sat out due to injury. His status for Game 4 remains uncertain.
Ce Here are some quotes from after Game 3 between the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers,
- Jaylen Brown on the dramatic finish:
“Welcome to the NBA playoffs. You’ve just got to manage your emotions. Anything can happen. It’s not over until the final buzzer sounds… It’s not over until it’s over. We found a way to win the game at the very end.” - Rick Carlisle, Pacers head coach, expressing determination:
“We’ve got the best fans in the NBA here, we’ve got the greatest basketball building on the planet, and we’ve got another game in front of them to go after those guys, and believe me when I tell you we are going after them.”
With a 3-0 lead, the Celtics are one win away from the NBA Finals. The Pacers face an uphill battle, but they’ve shown resilience throughout the playoffs. Can they mount a historic comeback?Stay tuned for Game 4 as these two teams clash once again. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and basketball fans are in for a treat!