Celtics-Pacers takeaways: Tatum leads thrilling comeback win in Game 3 originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Celtics are one win away from the NBA Finals after a thrilling comeback victory over the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
After going up nine points early, Boston struggled defensively and trailed by 18 points during a dismal second quarter. Indiana shot an impressive 63.6 percent from the floor in the first half, including 69.4 percent on two-pointers.
The second half was a different story. The C’s held the Pacers to 18 of 47 (38.3 percent) in the second half and erased their deficit. They finally regained the lead late in the fourth quarter, and Jrue Holiday kept it with a clutch steal in the final seconds of the game:
That play sealed a 114-111 victory and gave Boston a commanding 3-0 lead in the series.
The Celtics remain undefeated on the road (5-0) in the 2024 playoffs. This was the Pacers’ first loss at home this postseason (7-1).
Jayson Tatum had a game-high 36 points for Boston. All five of C’s starters scored in double figures, including Jaylen Brown (24 points) and Al Horford (23 points).
Andrew Nembhard filled in for injured star Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton and dropped a team-high 32 points in a losing effort. Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner added 22 each.
The Celtics will look to complete the sweep and advance to the NBA Finals on Monday. Tipoff for Game 4 is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET in Indiana, with coverage beginning at 7:00 PM Celtics Pregame Live here on NBC Sports Boston.
Here are three takeaways from Boston’s Game 3 win.
Huge rebound night for Jayson Tatum
Tatum’s critics were vocal throughout the postseason run, but were silenced on Saturday night.
The five-time All-Star was the best player on the floor in Game 3. He wasted little time making his presence known, dropping 15 points in the first quarter – the second-most in a quarter for his playoff career , after his 16-point game in Game 4 vs. Cleveland. He finished the first half with 20 points on efficient 8-of-14 shooting.
Tatum kept his foot on the gas in the second half and finished with 36 points late in the fourth quarter, including this clutch 3-pointer:
His stellar stat line – 36 points (12-23 FG, 5-10 3-PT), 10 rebounds, eight assists, two blocks, one steal and no turnovers – was historic. He now has five career playoff games with at least 35 points and 10 rebounds, tying his name second in Celtics history behind the legendary Larry Bird (10).
Tatum also became the first player in NBA history to score 36 points, 10 boards, eight assists and five 3-point goals without a turnover. according to StatMuse.
Al Horford shoots out the lights
As great as Tatum was, the Celtics won’t win Game 3 without Horford.
While Derrick White and Jrue Holiday struggled offensively, the veteran big man stepped up and had one of his standout nights from beyond the arc. He went a ridiculous 7-for-12 from deep and finished with 23 points in 34 minutes.
Horford’s biggest 3 of the game came late in the fourth quarter. His shot cut the deficit to two points with just over a minute to go:
Horford also had five rebounds, three blocks and a steal. The 37-year-old is the oldest player in NBA history to make seven three-pointers in a playoff game.
Tale of two halves for C’s defense
The Celtics were without two of their best frontcourt players — Kristaps Porzingis (calf) and Luke Kornet (wrist) — in Game 3, and it showed throughout the first half.
Indiana was brutal in the paint against Horford and the rest of Boston’s undersized lineup. All of the home team’s 31 points in the first quarter came from the paint or free-throw line.
That trend continued in the second quarter. The Pacers finished the first half 21 of 30 points and put up 42 points – just two short of Dallas’ NBA playoff high in Game 1 vs. Minnesota.
Then a switch flipped.
Indiana shot just 38.3 percent from the floor in the second half and scored just 42 points over the final two frames after scoring 69 points in the first half.
The Celtics defense came into action late and Holiday’s late steal perfectly capped the turnaround on that end of the floor. This gives Boston the opportunity to get a ticket for the Final on Monday evening.
