The Indiana Pacers looked like they were poised for an upset in Game 1.
Jaylen Brown had other ideas.
The Boston Celtics All-Star made a 3-pointer in the final minutes of regulation to tie the Pacers at 117-117 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday. The game then went into overtime, with the Celtics winning 133-128 and taking a 1-0 series lead.
The Pacers led 115-110 late in the game and appeared to have control of the ball, holding a 117-114 advantage with 10 seconds left in regulation. But they turned the ball over with a sloppy inbounds pass that breathed new life into the Celtics. Brown made the most of it.
Facing Pascal Siakam, Brown hit a 3-pointer from the left corner that went under the net with 5.7 seconds on the clock, securing an overtime session.
Jayson Tatum scored 10 points, including a 3-pointer with 42.8 seconds left, extending Boston's lead to 127-123. The Celtics took control from there, with dramatic swings from both teams from the tip of the game. Boston escapes with an early advantage in a series that seems like a favorite to win.
Pacers doomed by turnovers including late giveaway
As the No. 6 seed in the East, Indiana missed a golden opportunity to take a 1-0 advantage against the NBA's best team starting the regular season and left with a bitter feeling. On a night in which he shot 53.5 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from 3-point range, Brown's late turnover that set the stage for his 3-point shooting heroics was Indiana's defining play of the night. .
Indiana had the ball in its backcourt on an inbounds play with 10 seconds left. Andrew Nembhard was in charge of inbounds and first focused on Tyrese Haliburton on the baseline. As Jrue Holiday held off Haliburton, Nembhard turned to Siakam, who was cutting in. But Brown charged forward and played a soft pass from Nembhard. The ball bounced off Siakam's hand and went wide, setting up Brown's game-tying 3-pointer.
The turnover was one of 21 on a night where Indiana's offense was great. But this perk ultimately cost the Pacers a game. They turned the ball over three more times in overtime, including twice in the final 1:02.
Halliburton's heroism is not enough
The game got off to an inauspicious start for the Pacers, who found themselves in a 12-0 hole less than three minutes into the first quarter. But Indiana's league-best offense tied the score at 64-64 at halftime, thanks in part to a Logo 3 by Haliburton in the final seconds of the second quarter.
The clutch 3 was one of several for Haliburton, who made 6 of 14 from long range for 25 points, 10 assists and three steals. He had another hit early in the third quarter to give Indiana a 69-64 advantage.
But the Celtics fought back with a 13-0 run late in the quarter to take an 87-75 lead. The Pacers committed three turnovers against Boston. But they did not wither.
They went on another 18-7 run on Haliburton's 3-pointer at the third quarter buzzer, cutting Boston's lead to 94-93.
The fourth quarter was a tense affair from start to finish, but a fateful final few seconds finally secured an extra session. Haliburton responded with an extra 3 to start scoring in overtime, but Tatum's free throws with 1:12 left took the lead for good at 124-123, giving Boston the eventual victory.
Boston star steps up
The Celtics had a great performance from their entire starting lineup to counter the Pacers' offense. Tatum scored a game-high 36 points, including 10 in overtime, and had 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Jrue Holiday scored a season-high 28 points, along with eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals.
Brown only made one of his four 3-pointers on the night. But it was a big deal. He was otherwise fine, posting 26 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals. The Celtics shot 46.5 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from 3-point range, giving them a significant advantage at the free-throw line. Boston made 24 of 30 from the stripe, while Indiana made 9 of 30 shots on just 10 free throw attempts.
Siakam had 24 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists for Indiana. Myles Turner had 23 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, making 9 of 13 shots from the field and 3 of 4 from 3-point range. Every Pacers starter except Nembhard (1) turned the ball over at least twice. Aaron Nesmith committed five turnovers and Turner had four.
The Celtics secured the win without starting forward Kristaps Porzingis, who has been sidelined with a calf injury since the first round of the series between Boston and the Miami Heat. He reportedly could be ready to return by Game 4 against the Pacers.
