The Boston Celtics are now one win away from advancing to the NBA Finals for the second time in three years. With a thrilling finish in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Boston Celtics managed to defeat the Indiana Pacers 114-111, taking a commanding 3-0 series lead.
Jrue Holiday’s Defensive Heroics
As Andrew Nembhard sped down the left side of the court in the closing moments, with the Pacers trailing by one and their hopes of staying in the series on his shoulders, Jrue Holiday was right there, matching him stride for stride. Holiday anticipated Nembhard’s move to the right, a tendency he had exploited all night.
“He’s a right-hand driver, and he’d been very, very aggressive all night,” Holiday said post-game. As Nembhard shifted to his right hand, Holiday stole the ball and raced down the court, eventually sinking a pair of free throws to secure the Boston Celtics’ victory.
Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla praised Holiday’s defensive play, calling it a “trademark steal” and a “big-time play.”
FOUR WINS FROM GLORY#DifferentHere pic.twitter.com/XkgHGlgBme
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 28, 2024
Boston’s Late Surge
Despite trailing for much of the game and allowing the Pacers to feast on their defense, the Boston Celtics turned the tide in the closing minutes. A key moment was Holiday’s and-1 layup over Pacers forward Pascal Siakam, giving Boston a crucial lead.
“I was trying to get a shot up,” Nembhard explained, recounting the critical turnover. “He got in front of me. I lost the ball, slipped. Turnover.”
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle defended his decision not to call a timeout in the final seconds, expressing trust in his players to create better shots in transition. However, the Boston Celtics’ defense, led by Holiday, thwarted Indiana’s final efforts.
Jayson Tatum’s Stellar Performance
Jayson Tatum delivered a standout performance with 36 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and no turnovers in 44 minutes. Tatum’s early scoring kept the Boston Celtics in the game, and his contributions in the fourth quarter helped Boston claw back from an 18-point deficit.
“Jrue is just a big-time player, and he made a tremendous play,” Tatum said, highlighting Holiday’s game-winning defensive effort despite battling a non-COVID illness.
Key Moments in the Final Minutes
The Boston Celtics closed the game with a 13-2 run over the last 2:38, turning an eight-point deficit into a victory. Highlights included a Jaylen Brown midrange shot, a Tatum 3-pointer, an Al Horford corner 3-pointer off a no-look pass from Tatum, and Holiday’s decisive and-1 layup.
“Jrue is different,” Brown said, summarizing Holiday’s impact. “Nothing really else to say. Jrue is just different.”
With this victory, the Boston Celtics are on the brink of returning to the NBA Finals, needing just one more win to advance. Holiday’s defensive prowess and the team’s collective resilience have put them in a commanding position in the series.
