Celtics, Pacers Tangle In Game 2
The Boston Celtics will host the Indiana Pacers at TD Garden in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Thursday. The Celtics lead the series 1-0.
The Celtics and the Pacers engaged in a tight battle in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, but the Celtics came through after a hard-fought contest that needed overtime to find a winner. Boston executed better down the stretch and showcased its championship pedigree when it mattered the most, but the Pacers were a worthy opponent who proved to be a good match for Boston. The Celtics had to rely on Jayson Tatum to get the job done, and the star forward delivered some critical buckets in overtime to get Boston over the hump. Tatum finished the game with 6 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals. As has been the case throughout the playoffs, Tatum came through when the Celtics needed him the most. Boston will probably need him again in this Game 2, as he’s been forced to shoulder a bigger load on offense with Kristaps Porzingis (calf) sidelined, something that will be the case in Game 2 as well.
Aside from Porzingis, Xavier Tillman (personal) missed Game 1 and should be questionable for Thursday’s contest.
As for Indiana, the Pacers played with physicality and shot the ball extremely well, but the team needs to cut down on the mistakes to have a shot in Game 2 of the series. The Pacers turned the ball over a whopping 21 times, and that won’t cut it against one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. Tyrese Haliburton, who had an impressive performance in Game 1 of the series with 25 points, 10 assists, three rebounds and three steals, lost the ball in critical moments in both the fourth quarter and overtime. Perhaps this Pacers team is too young to be competing with the Celtics, but their efforts in the series opener suggest the team is ready to compete in Game 2 and beyond. The Pacers will rely on Haliburton to get the job done before the series switches to Indiana, but the contributions of Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner will also be key.
The Pacers are at full strength Thursday. Their lone absence is Bennedict Mathurin, who’s out for the rest of the 2023-24 season with a shoulder injury.
The Celtics and the Pacers engaged in a tight battle in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, but the Celtics came through after a hard-fought contest that needed overtime to find a winner. Boston executed better down the stretch and showcased its championship pedigree when it mattered the most, but the Pacers were a worthy opponent who proved to be a good match for Boston. The Celtics had to rely on Jayson Tatum to get the job done, and the star forward delivered some critical buckets in overtime to get Boston over the hump. Tatum finished the game with 6 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals. As has been the case throughout the playoffs, Tatum came through when the Celtics needed him the most. Boston will probably need him again in this Game 2, as he’s been forced to shoulder a bigger load on offense with Kristaps Porzingis (calf) sidelined, something that will be the case in Game 2 as well.
Aside from Porzingis, Xavier Tillman (personal) missed Game 1 and should be questionable for Thursday’s contest.
As for Indiana, the Pacers played with physicality and shot the ball extremely well, but the team needs to cut down on the mistakes to have a shot in Game 2 of the series. The Pacers turned the ball over a whopping 21 times, and that won’t cut it against one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. Tyrese Haliburton, who had an impressive performance in Game 1 of the series with 25 points, 10 assists, three rebounds and three steals, lost the ball in critical moments in both the fourth quarter and overtime. Perhaps this Pacers team is too young to be competing with the Celtics, but their efforts in the series opener suggest the team is ready to compete in Game 2 and beyond. The Pacers will rely on Haliburton to get the job done before the series switches to Indiana, but the contributions of Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner will also be key.
The Pacers are at full strength Thursday. Their lone absence is Bennedict Mathurin, who’s out for the rest of the 2023-24 season with a shoulder injury.