The Boston Celtics defeated the visiting Indiana Pacers, 99-91, in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoffs, at TD Garden on Wednesday evening.
The Pacers got out to a good start with a four-point lead after one quarter. The Celtics came back to take a two-point lead by halftime. The Pacers came out strong in the third and pulled ahead, outscoring the Celtics by 13 in the quarter to take an 11-point lead into the final frame. However, the Celtics outscored the Pacers 31-12 in the fourth to walk away with an eight-point win and 2-0 series lead.
Kyrie Irving led the Celtics with 37 points, seven assists, six rebounds, two blocks and a steal, in 39 minutes. Jayson Tatum followed up with 26 points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Gordon Hayward chipped in 13 points and five rebounds, off the bench. The Celtics shot 48 percent from the field, including 11-of-28 from deep.
Meanwhile, Bojan Bogdanovic led the Pacers with 23 points, eight rebounds, four steals and three assists, in 35 minutes. Thaddeus Young added 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block, while Tyreke Evans tallied 13 points, seven rebounds and one steal, in 18 minutes off the bench. The Pacers shot 44 percent from the field, including 13-of-34 from long range.
Game 3 will take place in Indiana on Friday.
