Celtics Secure NBA Finals Spot By Sweeping Pacers In Eastern Conference
Derrick White's decisive 3-pointer with 45 seconds remaining propelled the Boston Celtics into the NBA Finals for the second time in three years. The Celtics secured a 105-102 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals on Monday. This win completed a sweep of the best-of-seven series, overcoming a nine-point deficit with under nine minutes left.
Jaylen Brown spearheaded Boston's comeback, scoring 10 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter and making a crucial late block before White's winning shot. Jayson Tatum contributed significantly with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists. The backcourt duo of White and Jrue Holiday also delivered strong performances, with Holiday adding 17 points and nine rebounds, while White scored 16 points on 7-of-14 shooting and recorded a game-high five steals.
The sixth-seeded Pacers struggled without All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who missed his second consecutive game due to a hamstring injury sustained in Game 2. Andrew Nembhard led Indiana with 24 points and 10 assists, while Pascal Siakam added 19 points and 10 rebounds.
The Celtics will face the winner of the Western Conference finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves. Boston will host Game 1 on Thursday, June 6. The Mavericks currently lead that series 3-0 and have an opportunity to advance at home in Tuesday's Game 4.
The game remained tightly contested, with neither team leading by more than eight points until Indiana's 5-0 run, capped by Nembhard's three-point play with 8:57 left, gave them a 94-85 advantage. Indiana led 98-90 with under six minutes remaining before Boston began their comeback.
Brown hit two free throws and Tatum made a three-pointer to narrow the gap. Holiday then drove the lane, was fouled while making a layup, and converted the ensuing free throw to bring Boston within two points at 100-98 with 3:54 left. Brown tied the score at 102-102 with a floater at the 2:40 mark.
In a pivotal defensive play, Brown blocked Nembhard in the lane, allowing Al Horford to grab the rebound as the game entered its final minute. Brown then assisted White, who was open in the right corner, for a crucial three-pointer that put Boston ahead.
BIG TIME PLAYERS MAKE BIG TIME PLAYS pic.twitter.com/YuGXxk7rls
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 28, 2024
Indiana had one last opportunity to force overtime, but Nembhard's three-point attempt missed, and the Pacers could not get another shot off before time expired.
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