Boston Celtics guard Jrue Vacation (4) celebrates with teammate middle Al Horford, rear, through the second half of Recreation 3 of the NBA Japanese Convention basketball finals towards the Indiana Pacers, Saturday, Could 25, 2024, in Indianapolis. The Celtics received 114-111.(AP Picture/Darron Cummings)
INDIANAPOLIS — Jrue Vacation didn’t really feel properly all day. He even missed the group’s morning shootaround.
When it mattered most, although, the Celtics guard regarded simply tremendous.
Vacation transformed a three-point play with 38.9 seconds left to offer Boston its first lead in practically 36 minutes, adopted that with the game-saving steal after which clinched the 114-111 victory at Indiana with two free throws Saturday night time to offer Celtics a commanding 3-0 lead within the NBA Japanese Convention finals.
READ: NBA: Celtics escape Pacers in Recreation 1 of Japanese Convention finals
The Celtics overcame an 18-point deficit within the second half and may earn their second NBA Finals journey in three years with one other win Monday at Indiana.
“I’m all proper, had a fever, slept so much. However I really feel OK,” Vacation mentioned. “I simply made a play (on the finish). He’s an incredible participant, had an incredible sport. I simply made a play.”
Vacation completed with 14 factors, 5 within the ultimate 39 seconds, and had 9 rebounds on an evening that, at occasions, he gave the impression to be beneath the climate. Afterward, although, he appeared like himself and felt properly sufficient to stability his kids on his lap.
As Vacation struggled to seek out his footing, Boston’s different gamers acquired the job performed.
READ: NBA: Haliburton’s errors price Pacers late in Recreation 1 loss to Celtics
Jayson Tatum matched his playoff profession excessive with 36 factors and had 10 rebounds and eight assists. Jaylen Brown added 24 factors, and 37-year-old Al Horford had 23 factors and was 7-of-12 on 3-pointers.
Nevertheless it was Vacation’s late-game heroics that silenced Indiana’s raucous crowd and saved Boston an ideal 5-0 on the highway on this season’s playoffs.
Boston Celtics ahead Jayson Tatum (0) reacts through the second half of Recreation 3 of the NBA Japanese Convention basketball finals towards the Indiana Pacers, Saturday, Could 25, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Picture/Darron Cummings)
“I’m glad we acquired him, Jrue’s a hell of a competitor,” Tatum mentioned. “Clearly, he’s received a championship. For him to return out right here and put all of it on the road for us and provide you with a giant play to win the sport, we’ve acquired a hell of a group.”
The Pacers had been already going through a formidable highway again on this collection — even earlier than they discovered All-NBA guard Tyrese Haliburton wouldn’t play in Recreation 3 due to a left hamstring damage. It’s not clear if he’ll be out there for Recreation 4, both.
Nonetheless, the Pacers refused to interrupt.
Andrew Nembhard led the Pacers with a career-high 32 factors earlier than Vacation stole the ball from him with 3.3 seconds remaining. T.J. McConnell completed with 23 factors, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, whereas Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam every had 22 factors. Turner additionally had 10 rebounds.
Indiana had an opportunity to power additional time however Aaron Nesmith’s 3-pointer was off the mark.
In addition to the Pacers performed, scoring 69 factors within the first half, twice taking 18-point leads and nonetheless holding a 107-99 benefit with three minutes to go towards the NBA’s prime group, it was clear the Pacers missed having Haliburton on the courtroom.
“He is a right-hand driver, he is been very aggressive all night time… kinda jumped his proper hand”
Jrue on his game-winning steal 💯 pic.twitter.com/EyYw4aFNiq
— NBA (@NBA) Could 26, 2024
“Brave. Our guys performed an incredible sport,” coach Rick Carlisle mentioned. “We got here up somewhat quick tonight, however we can be again Monday and we can be punching even tougher.”
Nonetheless, a sellout crowd decked primarily in gold checkered flag shirts that includes dozens of particular person stamps of Indiana’s state define and stuffed with actors right here for the Indianapolis 500 weekend celebration, helped energize the Pacers as that they had by the primary playoff residence video games, all wins.
However Vacation’s ending flurry — a giant layup, the go-ahead free throw, the defensive play of the sport and two free throws to seal it with 1.1 left — quieted the group on a wild night time.
Indiana constructed an 18-point lead halfway by the second quarter and matched that margin once more halfway by the third. The second time, Boston used a collection of Indiana turnovers to spur a 13-4 spurt that acquired them inside 90-81 after three.
The Celtics then opened the fourth on a 9-3 run that acquired them inside 93-90 on Horford’s 3 with 8:29 to go.
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Indiana answered by rebuilding a 107-99 cushion with 3:05 left, solely to look at Boston go on a 13-2 run fueled by Vacation.
“We’ve met each problem,” Tatum mentioned. “We’re in nice place proper now, one win away from the finals. However we are able to’t look previous Monday or something like that and we’ve got a particular alternative to return to the finals.”
