0
0 The Celtics defeated the Pacers today with a final score of 105-102. It was an absolute heart-breaking loss for Indiana, as they were only 4 points away from beating the NBA’s best team. This marks the 23rd NBA finals appearance for the Celtics, who reached the same spot in 2022 but lost in six games to Stephen Curry. Now, they are ready for another chance to win the title.
We are also waiting for the Dallas Mavericks to sweep their opponent, the Minnesota Timberwolves, to reach their third finals appearance. The Mavericks won the title in 2011 with Dirk Nowitzki and lost to the Miami Heat in six games in 2006 against the Prime Dwayne Wade and Shaquille O’Neal duo.
Jayson Tatum delivered the victory with his 26 points, 13 rebounds and 8 assists, falling only 2 shy of a triple-double. Jaylen Brown led the way in scoring, with his 29 points and 3 steals.
Derrick White contributed 16 points, and an impressive 5 steals and 3 blocks, setting a new career-high for steals in the playoffs, and tying the second most blocks in a playoff game for himself. Jrue Holiday was also a solid contributor scoring 17 points and 9 assists.
The Pacers squad was led by 2nd-year player Andrew Nembhard who scored 24 points, 10 assists and 6 rebounds. He only started in 47 games of 68 played in the regular season, and he scored a career-high 32 points in game 3. Aaron Naismith (14 points), Pascal Siakam (19 points), Obi Toppin (12 points) and T.J. McConnell (15 points) were the Pacers in double digits.
In the historic game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, it marks only the second time that the Boston Celtics swept their opponents in the East Finals, the only other occasion being in 1986, where they versed the Milwaukee Bucks, led by all-star Sidney Moncrief.
Jayson Tatum was phenomenal in this series with averages of 30.3 PPG, 10.3 RPG and 6.3 APG. He showed off, with his fancy playmaking to his impressive rebounding, which is up from his regular-season average of 8.1 RPG. Throughout the whole playoffs, Tatum has had impressive averages of 26.0 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 5.9 APG, 1.1 SPG and 0.7 BPG.
Although Jayon Tatum can win by himself, the Celtics decided to give Jayson practically an all-star team for his supporting cast. With Jaylen Brown averaging 29.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG and 3.0 APG, tying his career-high in points in the playoffs with 40 points in Game 3.
Jaylen Brown has proved that he can be a leader of a stacked team. Averaging a career-high in the playoffs in points, averaging 25 PPG throughout the Celtics postseason run.
The Celtics also have 7-foot 3-inch all-star Kristaps Porzingis, who helped them pass through the first round with averages of 12.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.3 SPG and 1.5 BPG, before getting injured and ruled out for the rest of the season.
With a supporting cast of defensive gods Jrue Holiday with averages of 18.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists, and Derrick White with averages of 16.8 points, 4.8 RPG, 6.5 APG, 2.0 SPG and 2.3 BPG.
Both players made the 2024 All-Defensive Second Team, and Derrick White was only one of two, the other being Hustle Player of the Year, Alex Caruso averaging 1 block and 1 steal a game as a guard. Caruso also joined Holiday and White on the 2024 All-Defensive Second Team.
In conclusion, the NBA playoffs have been filled with excitement and surprises. The Celtics’ victory over the Pacers and their impressive performance in the Eastern Conference Finals have set the stage for an intense NBA finals.
With star players like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and the addition of defensive stalwarts like Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Kristaps Porzingis, the Celtics are poised for a thrilling showdown for the championship.
On the other hand, we await the outcome of the Dallas Mavericks’ series, as they aim for their third finals appearance. The stage is set for an electrifying conclusion to the NBA season.
About The Author
