NBA Roundup: Jaylen Brown Shines with 40 Points as Celtics Secure 2-0 Series Lead Against Pacers

Brown made 8 of 11 free throws and was 14 of 27 from the field. He pulled down five rebounds as well. After three quarters, Boston led by thirteen points, and the Pacers never got closer than eleven in the fourth.

With the win, Boston now leads the best-of-seven series 2-0. Game 3 of the series will take place in Indianapolis on Saturday. In overtime, the Celtics prevailed 133–128 in Game 1.

In Game 2, Brown stated, “I think we adjusted a little bit better.” “I think we can still play a little bit better, and we’re excited to prove it in Game 3.”

Tyrese Haliburton, a point guard, might not be available for that game, according to the Pacers. Thursday’s third quarter left him feeling sore in his left hamstring. In 28 minutes, he scored 10 points and disheveled eight assists. Due to a left hamstring issue, he missed ten games in January.

“Obviously, losing Ty for the game is a big blow,” Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle remarked. “On Friday and Saturday, we will have much more information. You’re obviously interested in specifics. I’m not really wealthy.
With 28 points, Pascal Siakam led the Pacers in field goal percentage, making 13 of his 17 tries. For Indiana, Andrew Nembhard scored 16 more points.

For the Celtics, Derrick White and Jayson Tatum both scored 23 points. Al Horford finished with ten rebounds, a game-high, and six points.
With 24 points, Brown led all first-half scorers. Boston was behind 27–25 after the first quarter but led 57–51 at the break.

Boston took the lead with a 20-0 run. To build a 42-27 lead, the Celtics scored the last three points of the first quarter and the opening 17 points of the second. It wasn’t until Aaron Nesmith sank two free throws with 6:45 left in the second quarter that Indiana managed to score.

Also Read: NBA Playoffs: Tatum Leads Celtics to Thrilling 133-128 Win Over Pacers in East Finals Game 1

After Siakam’s 3-pointer with 7:55 left in the third, Indiana was within two points, 68-66, but Boston led 93-80 going into the final 12 minutes.

This season, the Pacers had a 6-0 home record in the playoffs. On the road, the Celtics have a 4-0 record.
In the conference semifinals, Indiana again dropped the opening two games against the New York Knicks before winning the series in seven games.

Boston coach Joe Mazzulla stated, “The only thing we should be thinking about is they were down 2-0 a series ago and they brought it to Game 7 and they do a great job protecting their home court.” “We need to concentrate on the execution and the minutiae because they are unbeaten at home, so it will require much more than just confidence to win. It’s up to us to answer in kind since I know they will.

Luke Kornet of the Celtics departed the game in the first quarter due to a sprained left wrist and did not come back. Due to a calf issue, Boston center Kristaps Porzingis missed his seventh consecutive game.