Final: Celtics 133, Pacers 128 (OT) - C's get gift, take advantage to win in OT

BOSTON CELTICS vs. INDIANA PACERS

Eastern Conference Finals, Game 1

TD Garden, 8 p.m. - ESPN/ESPN 2

Line: Boston -10.5

INJURIES

Boston: Kristaps Porzingis (OUT, calf), Xavier Tillman (OUT, personal reasons)

Indiana: Benedict Mathurin (OUT, shoulder)

SEASON SERIES

Celtics 155, Pacers 104, Nov. 1

The Celtics put up 44 first-quarter points to take a 17-point lead behind an early burst from Jrue Holiday, a late kick by Jayson Tatum, and 11 from Derrick White. The team cooled off in the second quarter, but Tatum had 12 and Boston took a 21-point lead into the half. The Celtics came out strong in the second half, pushed the lead to 35 early in the third quarter, and to 38 by the end of it. The rest was garbage time.

Pacers 122, Celtics 112, Dec. 4

The Celtics held the high-powered Pacers offense to 22 points in the first quarter, riding Jaylen Brown and Sam Hauser to an early lead. Luke Kornet had a huge impact in the second quarter at both ends as the game stayed close. Jayson Tatum helped key a late 12-0 run and Boston led by seven at the half. It was a much different story after halftime, as Boston turned it over 10 times for 14 Pacers points while only forcing two Indy turnovers for four points. Tyrese Haliburton dropped a triple-double and keyed a 9-0 run that broke a 105-all tie to seal the game. 

Celtics 118, Pacers 101, Jan. 6

The Celtics came out attacking the basket and defending well, putting up 29 while holding the Pacers to their lowest single quarter of the season. The teams traded runs in the second, and Indy got the last one to head into the half down nine. They cut it to two, and after a Celtics answer, back down to three heading into the fourth. Jayson Tatum took over from there (with some help) and Boston ended up winning comfortably.

Pacers 133, Celtics 131, Jan. 8

Jaylen Brown came out playing amazing basketball, but some tough defensive breakdowns and a blistering start by Benedict Mathurin limited Boston’s lead to just one after the first. They went back and forth for most of the second quarter but Boston closed the half on a 20-9 run, which included Indy losing Tyrese Haliburton to an injury. TJ McConnell took advantage of the opportunity, putting up 13 points and 3 assists in a 44 point third. The Celtics fought back in the fourth and took a brief lead, but a foul on Kristaps Porzingis with less than a second to go gave the Pacers free throws to win the game. 

Celtics 129, Pacers 124, Jan. 30

Boston came out with purpose, moving the ball amazingly well in the first quarter and getting 15 points from a scorching-hot Derrick White to build a 10-point lead. The lead grew to 20 at one point but settled at 15 thanks to Jayson Tatum’s 19 in the second. The Celtics' lead evaporated in the third quarter, primarily due to second-chance points. They settled down in the fourth, though, actually grabbed some rebounds, and salted the game away with some tough defense.

THINGS I’M LOOKING FOR

1. Ruthlessness: Here we are with yet another Game 1 featuring a rested Celtics team against an opponent coming off a long, rough series. It’s a tough pivot for the road team to make. The Pacers won Game 7 in New York and came straight to Boston, so this amounts to a sort of regular season travel schedule for them while the Celtics are on their third mini All-Star break of the playoffs. 

So the Celtics should do what they’ve been doing in this situation: hit ‘em hard and don’t let up. 

2. Seriously, don’t let up: As I said in the preview, I don’t care where the lead is during the game, don’t let up and let the Pacers have any life. I really don’t care if it’s a 50 point game. The Pacers are going to hit shots at some point, and (A) I don’t want to see Boston squander a lead and (B) I don’t want the Celtics to let anyone get comfortable during a blowout and have it carry over to Game 2. 

3. Jaylen Brown vs. Pascal Siakam: 

People remember Brown shutting Siakam down in the bubble, but that was a long time ago. Maybe Brown is stinging from only getting four All-Defensive team votes (three 1st place, one 2nd) and he’ll want to prove something against Siakam. 

I think the Celtics can help off Siakam and either dare him to shoot or lure him into 2-point land. I think one of Boston’s defensive strategies will be to lean into Indiana’s desire to drive and get them to pass up 3-point opportunities. Funny enough, it’s going to be Indiana’s defensive strategy, too. So maybe this turns into a points in the paint battle. 

4. Keep TJ McConnel in check: He's been one of their best players. He's super-annoying and he can change the game in a blink. Don't lose sight of him.

Follow along with my thoughts as the game goes on. They’ll show up below and in the comments section, so hop in and share your opinion as well.