BOSTON — The Boston Celtics gave the Indiana Pacers a rude welcome at the start of the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Celtics scored the first 12 points of the game in the raucous surroundings of TD Garden, and that was exactly the message they needed to send.
But the Pacers didn't care. They are fresh off a Game 7 win over the New York Knicks on Sunday at Madison Square Garden, and are used to unfavorable arenas.
Indiana's relentless offensive drive helped the Pacers get back in the game and take a three-point lead with 46.8 seconds left in the fourth quarter, but the Pacers committed costly turnovers after that and were unable to hold on to the lead.
Missed opportunities by Indiana and disruptions to Celtics star Jayson Tatum's offense led to a chaotic finish.
Boston's Jaylen Brown knocked down a tricky corner 3-pointer with 6.1 seconds left to send the game into overtime, and the Celtics outscored the Pacers in the five extra minutes to win Game 1, 133-128.
Tatum followed up the three-point play with a 3-pointer from above the arc to give Boston a 127-123 lead with 42.9 seconds left in the game, enough room to pull away with the victory.
Tatum scored a game-high 36 points, had 12 rebounds and three steals. He scored 10 points in overtime, becoming one of three Celtics players with at least 26 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Brown had 26 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals, and Jrue Holiday had 28 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals.
Game 2 will be Thursday in Boston (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Criminal activity on display
During the regular season, the Celtics ranked first in offensive power and the Pacers ranked second. Their scoring prowess was clear. Both teams shot in the 50s from the field, with Boston at 47.5% and Indiana at 53.5%. The Pacers had seven players score in double figures, led by Tyrese Haliburton with 25 points and 10 assists. Pascal Siakam had 24 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists, and Myles Turner had 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Pacers.
Boston had the second-best defense in the league, and Indiana's plan was to put as much pressure on them as they could. But it was Indiana's turnovers that made the difference in this game. The Pacers committed 22 turnovers, which led to 32 points for the Celtics.
Horford continues to fill in for Kristaps Porzingis
Veteran big man Al Horford, who started in place of injured Kristaps Porzingis, had 15 points and six rebounds. Although he hasn't played as well as Porzingis, his experience has helped minimize Porzingis' absences. Porzingis has not played since Game 4 of the first round due to a right calf strain. He is aiming to return for Game 4, ESPN reported Tuesday.
Free throw discrepancy
The Celtics shot 30 free throws, making 24 of them. The Pacers, on the other hand, made only 9 of 10 free throws, including 7 in overtime, a by-product of the playing styles of both teams. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle complained about the officiating during the series against the Knicks, and the NBA fined Carlisle $35,000 for “publicly criticizing the officiating and questioning the integrity of the league and its officials,” the NBA said in a news release.
