Final: Celtics 105, Pacers 102 - C's survive frantic finish, head to NBA Finals

BOSTON CELTICS at INDIANA PACERS

Eastern Conference Finals, Game 4

Boston leads 3-0

TD Garden, 8 p.m. - ESPN

Line: Boston -7.5

INJURIES

Boston: Kristaps Porzingis (OUT, calf)

Indiana: Tyrese Haliburton (OUT, hamstring),  Benedict Mathurin (OUT, shoulder)

SERIES

Game 1: Celtics 133 - Pacers 128

The Celtics exploded out of the gate on a 12-0 run and held a lead of about seven for most of the quarter but the Pacers whipped off a late 11-5 run to make a three-point game after one. The Celtics got the lead back up to 10 but the Pacers shot the lights out, led by Myles Turner, to tie the game at the half. The Celtics methodically built a 13-point lead in the third, but a 16-4 answer cut the lead to just one heading into the fourth. Jrue Holiday carried Boston for a while, but the Pacers just couldn't miss. They also couldn't inbound up three with 10 seconds to go, opening the door for a Jaylen Brown 3 to send it to overtime. Jayson Tatum shook off a lot of struggles to score 10 in the overtime and give Boston the win. 

Game 2: Celtics 126 - Pacers 110

The Pacers came out hot, building a six-point lead but Boston dominated the offensive boards to keep it close after one. They stormed out to a 17-0 start to the second quarter and built a 16-point lead in the second. Jaylen Brown dropped 17 in the quarter but a late run cut Boston’s lead to six at the half. Pascal Siakam got things close, but the trio of Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Derrick White helped push it to 13. Tatum really shook off his struggles in the fourth, going for 11 to close out the Pacers.

Game 3: Celtics 114 - Pacers 111 

Jayson Tatum came out hot in the first quarter and the Celtics piled up the points, but the Pacers were relentlessly attacking the basket and they were able to keep it a one-point game. The Pacers kept up the hot shooting and took it a step further in the second quarter, hitting 68% and getting 17 from Andrew Nembhard to take a 12-point halftime lead. Boston cut it to nine with a late third quarter run, and they made multiple runs to cut the lead down further, all of which were answered by the Pacers. The Celtics finally broke through with a 13-2 run over the final 2:24 to finally take their first lead since the end of the first quarter and win the game. 

THINGS I’M LOOKING FOR

1. Focus: As I’ve said, the adrenaline will be pumping for the Pacers, and that's hard to match in a situation like this. The Celtics will have to take that first punch from Indiana and fire back. Having been through a game where they trailed by 18 in the third, they should be aware of how much time they have to get back into things should the Pacers come out strong. 

One caveat: I wonder if Pacers fans have given up on the season and sold their tickets. There are a ton of Celtics fans in this area who would love to be in the building to see Boston get a trophy. I’m curious to see what the crowd is like.

2. Use their momentum against them: The Pacers want to get into the paint, so I say draw them in and then double them late. Throw a wrinkle at them to force some turnovers and get out in transition. I’d especially like to see them double Siakam on the dribble when he posts up. I feel like they can force him into a five-turnover game. 

3. Stick with the shooting: Boston’s 3-point shooting has been up and down, so no matter how it’s going early, keep at it. It’s what helped them close the gap in the fourth of Game 3. 

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.