Celtics and Pacers Set for Game 3 Clash
The Boston Celtics take on the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday night in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference Finals series. The Celtics hold a 2-0 series lead.
The Celtics (10-2 postseason) came into the Game 2, Wednesday night clash on their TD Garden home floor hoping to avoid past missteps at that series juncture, and after a slow start, they were able to right the ship over the final three quarters for a commanding 126-110 win. Jaylen Brown paced the Celtics with 40 points, complementing them with five rebounds, two assists and one steal. Jayson Tatum and Derrick White generated matching 23-point contributions while recording six rebounds and six assists, respectively. Tatum also posted five assists, while White pulled in four boards. Jrue Holiday generated a 15-point, 10-assist double-double that included three rebounds. Payton Pritchard compiled 12 points, two rebounds and two assists.
The Celtics will remain without Kristaps Porzingis (calf) for Saturday's game. Luke Kornet (wrist) will carry a doubtful tag.
The Pacers (8-7 postseason) put up quite the fight in Game 1, but their energy level seemed to wane over the course of Game 2, unsurprising given the big cumulative rest disparity between them and a Celtics team that's played three fewer postseason games. In Wednesday's loss, Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 28 points, adding five rebounds and two assists. Andrew Nembhard furnished 16 points, five assists, two rebounds and one steal. Obi Toppin supplied 11 points, three rebounds and one block. Tyrese Haliburton delivered 10 points, eight assists, four rebounds and one steal.
The Pacers will list Haliburton (hamstring) as questionable for Saturday's game.
Saturday's game marks the eighth meeting between the teams this season. The Celtics have won five of the first seven games.
The Celtics (10-2 postseason) came into the Game 2, Wednesday night clash on their TD Garden home floor hoping to avoid past missteps at that series juncture, and after a slow start, they were able to right the ship over the final three quarters for a commanding 126-110 win. Jaylen Brown paced the Celtics with 40 points, complementing them with five rebounds, two assists and one steal. Jayson Tatum and Derrick White generated matching 23-point contributions while recording six rebounds and six assists, respectively. Tatum also posted five assists, while White pulled in four boards. Jrue Holiday generated a 15-point, 10-assist double-double that included three rebounds. Payton Pritchard compiled 12 points, two rebounds and two assists.
The Celtics will remain without Kristaps Porzingis (calf) for Saturday's game. Luke Kornet (wrist) will carry a doubtful tag.
The Pacers (8-7 postseason) put up quite the fight in Game 1, but their energy level seemed to wane over the course of Game 2, unsurprising given the big cumulative rest disparity between them and a Celtics team that's played three fewer postseason games. In Wednesday's loss, Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 28 points, adding five rebounds and two assists. Andrew Nembhard furnished 16 points, five assists, two rebounds and one steal. Obi Toppin supplied 11 points, three rebounds and one block. Tyrese Haliburton delivered 10 points, eight assists, four rebounds and one steal.
The Pacers will list Haliburton (hamstring) as questionable for Saturday's game.
Saturday's game marks the eighth meeting between the teams this season. The Celtics have won five of the first seven games.