Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
The Boston Celtics overcame an 18-point second-half deficit to defeat the host Indiana Pacers 114-111 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday.
Jayson Tatum posted 36 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for the Celtics, who now lead the Pacers 3-0 in the best-of-seven series. His best play was a behind-the-back pass to Al Horford, who calmly hit a corner three to cut the Pacers’ lead to 111-109 with 1:11 left.
NBA @NBA
HORFORD’S 7TH THREE CUTS IT TO 2!
Get to ABC for ending of Game 3 ‼️ pic.twitter.com/TcYqUQa8QR
Jrue Holiday served as the Celtics’ late-game hero, however. His three-point play with 39 seconds left put Boston up 112-111 with 39 seconds remaining.
NBA @NBA
CLUTCH AND-1. 😤
Down to the wire on ABC! https://t.co/59WEjVOf3P pic.twitter.com/0Hw8JOZn0o
That gave Boston its first lead since the opening possession of the second quarter.
The Pacers and Celtics then traded empty possessions, but Indiana found itself with a closing chance to take the lead after a Tatum miss with 10 seconds left.
Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard then charged up the court, but Holiday swiped at the ball for a massive steal.
NBA @NBA
JRUE HOLIDAY WITH THE STEAL ‼️
CLAMPS. IN. THE. CLUTCH.
BOS up 1 with 1.1 left on ABC pic.twitter.com/w0lOiBeuOb
Holiday then calmly sank two free throws for a 114-111 lead. Indiana still had one last chance at the tie, but Aaron Nesmith’s corner three missed the mark.
The Pacers put forth a tremendous effort despite missing All-NBA Third Team member Tyrese Haliburton (left hamstring soreness).
Andrew Nembhard led Indiana with 32 points and nine assists, while T.J. McConnell added 23 points, nine rebounds and six assists off the bench. Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam pitched in 22 points apiece. That quartet put Indiana up 84-66 with six minutes left in the third.
But Boston finally clamped down on defense, holding Indiana to just 27 points over the final 18 minutes. Tatum also scored 14 points in the final quarter-and-a-half to lead the Celtics, who are one win away from their second Eastern Conference title in three years.
Holiday finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and three steals. Jaylen Brown added 24 points.
Al Horford, who is still starting in place of injured big man Kristaps Porziņģis (right calf strain), hit 7-of-12 threes en route to 23 points and three blocks.
NBA @NBA
The @celtics needed all 7 of Al Horford’s clutch 3s in the comeback win!
23 PTS | 7 3PM (career high)
Boston takes a 3-0 lead in the ECF. pic.twitter.com/zb1NV3xEyn
For much of this game, the Pacers fed off the home crowd’s tremendous energy and looked as if they were playing on roller blades. Their speed and power in the paint (68 points versus the Celtics’ 40) made a huge difference.
But the Celtics overcame a brutal start with a tremendous finish capped by Holiday’s heroics:
Kristaps Porzingis @kporzee
LFG
Josh Hart @joshhart
Jrue really that guy
Manu Ginobili @manuginobili
Jrue Holiday! 🫶 What a player!
Shea Serrano @SheaSerrano
jrue holiday guarding you with his maximum intensity is like if you were in a straitjacket inside a phone booth filled with concrete inside of a bank vault filled with more concrete
73-9 and THEY LIED @CuffsTheLegend
and that’s why Jrue Holiday makes the big bucks 💰💰 pic.twitter.com/RI0WfMvSiE
Hoop Central @TheHoopCentral
Jayson Tatum is the 1st player in NBA History with at least 36 PTS, 10 REB, 8 AST while having 0 Turnovers in a playoff game, via @taylorcsnow.
Special. 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/SNcVTYo54D
brad auerbach @CelticsPost
jayson tatum is not the best player on the celtics he’s the best player in the playoffs pic.twitter.com/bhVXkT13Mr
Bill Simmons @BillSimmons
That’s in the running for best Tatum games — loved how he played. https://t.co/z4Iavn48bL
Cousin Grizz @AndrewDoxy
Tatum’s games just aren’t as in your face as other stars. He dominated all game and it doesn’t even feel like it. That behind-the-back pass was insane and instantly a career highlight for him considering time and situation
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
The Celtics showed a ton of poise in that comeback. Incredible win. Big timely plays by everyone. And Tatum was a stud.
Anna Horford @AnnaHorford
#BELIEVEINBOSTON!!! LFG!!!
☘️☘️☘️☘️💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/07jhlxUJ9A
CelticsUnite @CelticsUnite18
The Celtics won both of these games.
Championship metal. pic.twitter.com/bAhNgjdEyL
Game 4 will occur on Monday at 8 p.m. in Indianapolis.
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