2024-11-01 00:45:03
About 150 days ago, the Boston Celtics swept the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, going on to win the NBA Championship. The heartbreaking loss was felt around the city of Indianapolis, but it was not forgotten.
On Oct. 30, the Pacers secured a 135-132 overtime victory against the Celtics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, handing the Celtics their first loss of the season.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle took his hat off to the Celtics following the contest.
“If you slow down against Boston, this is what they are capable of,” Carlisle said. “We saw it last year. We need to keep our pedal on the metal. We had to survive a tornado out there.”
In an anticipated rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals — where the Celtics defeated the Pacers en route to their 18th NBA title — Indiana took advantage of their home court, fueled by a sold-out crowd of 17,274 fans.
This time, the Pacers secured the win through a well-rounded team effort and strong individual performances, giving them a satisfying redemption and signaling their aspirations for the 2024-25 season.
The Celtics started strong, with Jayson Tatum leading the charge. Tatum scored 37 points, including five three-pointers, along with eight rebounds and four assists. Jaylen Brown, who secured the NBA Finals MVP last year, contributed 25 points and six rebounds. Derrick White fired off from beyond the arc, knocking down all five of his three-point attempts to finish with 23 points.
Brown believes the Celtics’ energy was nonexistent in the matchup.
“I feel like we got a lot of good looks tonight. We didn’t really shoot the ball, our energy was lackluster, a lot of that is on me,” Brown said. “We had an opportunity to win, but we didn’t convert at the end.”
Despite Boston’s firepower, the Pacers responded with balanced scoring and defensive resilience, leading for most of the contest and stretching their advantage to 24 points at one point.
One of the key figures for Indiana was Bennedict Mathurin, who made a notable return after missing the postseason last year with a torn labrum. Mathurin scored a season-high 30 points, which also set a new career high, and grabbed eleven rebounds. His ability to get to the free-throw line, where he converted 10 out of 11 attempts, helped stabilize the Pacers’ offense. This strong comeback performance was crucial in fueling Indiana’s determination to come out on top against their Eastern Conference rivals.
“We had a tough start to the season, a lot of ups and downs,” Mathurin said. “I feel like we are pretty much finding a rhythm to who we are as a team. It’s been pretty good.”
Pascal Siakam, another essential contributor for Indiana, notched 29 points and eleven rebounds, including a crucial three-pointer in overtime that solidified Indiana’s hold on the contest. Siakam’s leadership on both ends of the floor was invaluable for a Pacers team looking to make a statement.
Siakam shared his perspective of hitting the late game-winner following the matchup.
“Me and Ty [Haliburton] were trying to get a good shot, trying to create a bit of confusion (for the defense), he gave me the ball, so I shot it,” Siakam said. “My shot was feeling good all night, so I let it fly.”
Tyrese Haliburton, who had a memorable triple-double performance last year that eliminated Boston in the NBA In-Season Tournament, once again played a pivotal role.
Although Haliburton didn’t replicate his triple-double, he directed the offense effectively, recording 12 assists and 17 points. His calm decision-making and precision pocket passing helped Indiana maintain momentum and manage critical possessions down the stretch.
In the final frame, the Celtics surged back, outscoring the Pacers 38-24 to erase Indiana’s lead and push the game into overtime.
Tatum’s aggressive drives and Brown’s tenacious play nearly secured another comeback win for Boston. However, Indiana responded quickly, with Siakam’s clutch three-pointer in the extra period serving as the dagger. Boston struggled to maintain their shooting efficiency in overtime, hitting only 2 of their 9 field goals as the Pacers tightened up their defense.
Indiana’s bench provided valuable minutes, with Obi Toppin adding 18 points, providing energy on both ends. Aaron Nesmith also contributed with a steady presence, scoring 12 points and securing eight rebounds against his former club. The Pacers’ second unit combined for 45 points, allowing their starters to stay fresh for the game’s critical moments.
After a promising postseason run last year that ended at the hands of these same Celtics, the Pacers showed they have developed resilience and depth to compete with top-tier teams. Indiana also dominated in the paint, scoring 62 points to Boston’s 44, and out-rebounded their opponents 57-51, highlighting the physical presence they are establishing this season.
The Pacers take on the Pelicans at 8:00 p.m. Nov. 1 in New Orleans.
Contact multi-media & senior sports reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more sports, click here.
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