The Boston Celtics are one game away from a return trip to the NBA Finals after defeating the Indiana Pacers 114-11 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals. No team has ever come back from an 0-3 series deficit in NBA history.
Indiana feasted at the rim in the first half, punishing Boston’s ineffective interior defense. They played with purpose and urgency, understandable given the circumstances. And the Pacers were the better team well into the second half, leading by as many as 18 in the middle of part of the third quarter. At this point the Celtics dug in on defense, continuing to make baskets along the way. Jayson Tatum was huge, ending the night with 36 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, and helped Boston retake the lead in the final minute of the game. A steal by Jrue Holiday iced the game, capping a massive Celtic win and a devastating Pacer loss.
Let’s look closer at the action and recap Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals, a 114-111 win for Boston.