Boston is one victory away from the 2024 Finals. The Celtics win 114-111 in Indianapolis, game 3 of the Eastern Conference final, coming back from -18 and thus going up 3-0 in the series. The game of the match was led by the veteran Jrue Holiday who stole the ball from Andrew Nembhard with 3 seconds to play, up by one point, and then without trembling scored the free throws that secured the final result, the subsequent triple by Aaron Nesmith at the end find the retina. Game 4 is scheduled from 2am Italian time between Monday and Tuesday, again in Indianapolis: the Celtics, unbeaten on the road in these playoffs, with a 5-0 record, will play their first match point.
Indian mess
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The Pacers without Tyrese Haliburton, who injured his left flexor in game 2 and is in serious doubt for game 4, put their heart into it. But not enough head. Ahead first 84-66 with 6′ on the clock in the 3rd quarter and then 109-101 with 2’38” left to play, they throw away a game dominated from the start of the 2nd period until the last minute. Waste that matches that of race 1. Coach Carlisle has enormous responsibilities, now as then. This time he doesn’t slow down the game to manage the advantage and above all he doesn’t call a time out to manage the last possession down by one point: the lost ball materializes promptly when a second-year NBA director has the ball. Indy complains about the guests’ 26 free throws against their 14: same scenes seen at the Garden in game 1. But he must also do a mea culpa. He shoots 5/22 from 3, wastes the evening of applause from TJ McConnell, fabulous, with 23 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, and doesn’t put the decisive balls in his hands. Self-harm. He thus lost at home for the first time in the playoffs, of which he now sees the end of the line.
Celtic tenacity
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As in game 1, Boston doesn’t give up when it goes a long way down. Too much more talented than her opponents, she knows she has room to catch up. She has the experience on her side and the veterans capable of exploiting it. Al Horford at almost 38 years old scores 23 points, 7 triples, Holiday stands out on both sides of the court in the thrilling final. The Jays didn’t hold back: Tatum scored 36 points (15 in the 1st quarter), Brown 24. The Greens’ defense made the difference from midway through the third quarter, even using strong tactics. The Celtics take the lead for the first time since 32-31 with 38″ left and can’t be reached again. Relentless.
the match
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Sheppard, the freshman, in the starting lineup for Haliburton. He will be disastrous, 0 points in 26 minutes. Boston, still without Porzingis, scores its first 6 shots, leading 32-31 at the end of the 1st quarter. Indy extends when Turner starts to score and McConnell picks up the pace. 64-46 on Nembhard’s triple, then 69-57 at halftime. The home team shoots nearly 64% from the field. Nembhard 21 points, McConnell 12 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds. Everywhere. Boston with 10 triples scored compared to 3 of their opponents, yet trailing by double figures. Even 84-66 Indy when McConnell invents a couple of shots under the basket from the bottom of his 185 cm. As usual, Brown is the one who keeps him afloat in his moment of greatest need. And Boston comes back with the defense (7 blocks in the period): 90-81 Pacers at the end of the 3rd quarter. Nembhard, with his career high in points, 32, and McConnell always score, yet Indy doesn’t close out the game. And he pays dearly. Horford scores the triple to make it -2 and with 38″ to go a 3-point play by Holiday is worth the overtaking. Nembhard and Tatum make mistakes, Holiday’s stolen ball from Nembhard proves decisive. As in race 1, Indy does all sorts of things and Boston knows how to take advantage of it. And he can already see the Finals on the horizon: no NBA team has ever lost a playoff series leading three to zero.
Indiana: Nembhard 32 (8/14, 4/7, 4/4 TL), McConnell 23, Siakam/Turner 22. Rebounds: Turner 10. Assists: Nembhard 9.
Boston: Tatum 36 (7/13, 5/10, 7/11 TL), Brown 24, Horford 23. Rebounds: Tatum 10. Assists: Tatum 8.
