WASHINGTON – After defeating the Indiana Pacers 105-102 on Monday (Tuesday in Manila), the Boston Celtics completed a 4-0 series sweep and advanced to the NBA Finals. They also won the Eastern Conference title.
In Tuesday’s Game 4 (Wednesday in Manila), the Dallas Mavericks, who are currently leading the Minnesota Timberwolves 3-0, will play the winner of the Western Conference finals versus the Celtics.
The Pacers, who were without their injured star guard Tyrese Haliburton, presented a formidable challenge to Boston, who triumphed in Indianapolis for the seventh time in a row.
A key factor in the Celtics’ triumph was Jaylen Brown. With 2:40 remaining in the fourth quarter, he made a critical shot to knot the score at 102-102. He then spectacularly blocked Andrew Nembhard at the rim. Brown set up Derrick White for the game-winning three-pointer with forty-five seconds left.
With 33 seconds remaining, Nembhard, who finished with 24 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds for the Pacers, missed a three-point shot that would have knotted the game.
With 29 points, Brown led the Celtics. Jayson Tatum followed with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists.
Two years after losing to the Golden State Warriors, the Celtics are back in the championship game, looking to win their first NBA championship since 2008.
The MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals, Brown, remarked, “It’s been nothing but a grind; we haven’t skipped any steps all season.” “We’ve got a bunch of great guys in this locker room, tough guys. Our coaching staff has been great, front office great, and now we want to take the next step.”
The Pacers dropped their third game in the series despite having leads or ties in the last minute of play.
Rick Carlisle, the head coach of the Pacers, stated, “It’s good that expectations will be raised for next year.” “There are challenges to meet over the summer for our guys to get better; all of us involved need to get better.”
