Celtics-Pacers takeaways: Motivated Jaylen puts on a show in Game 2 win

Celtics-Pacers takeaways: Motivated Jaylen puts on a show in Game 2 win originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

BOSTON — The Boston Celtics put an end to their Game 2 struggles Thursday night at TD Garden.

After dropping the second game of the previous two rounds, the C’s treated their home crowd to a relatively stress-free win this time in the Eastern Conference Finals. They shook off to a sluggish start, shooting just 41.7 percent from the floor compared to Indiana’s 57.9 percent in the first quarter. The first 12 minutes included 10 lead changes and despite their lackluster offense, the Celtics found themselves down only two points at the end of the frame.

It was all C’s from there. The second quarter featured a 20-0 Boston run in which Indiana didn’t make a shot until the six-minute mark. The Pacers cut the deficit to six at halftime, but they wouldn’t regain the lead the rest of the way as the Celtics cruised to a 126-110 triumph.

Jaylen Brown led the way for Boston with a 40-point outburst. Jayson Tatum added 23 points, and All-Defensive guards Derrick White and Jrue Holiday did their part offensively with 23 and 15, respectively.

Pascal Siakam was the lone bright spot for Indiana with 28 points on 13-of-17 shooting. Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton (10 points) exited the game in the third quarter with a leg issue and did not return.

Since 1984, Boston is 22-1 in seven-game series after winning the first two games. Teams that win the first two games of a best-of-seven series have gone on to win the series 92 percent of the time.

The series will shift to Indiana for Game 3 on Saturday with tip-off scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET. Coverage starts at 7:30 p.m. on NBC Sports Boston with Celtics Pregame Live.

Before we look ahead to that matchup, here are three takeaways from Game 2.

Jaylen Brown responds to All-NBA snub

Brown was a glaring omission from the All-NBA teams that were announced on Wednesday. Rather than voice his frustration with the snub, he let his play do the talking in Game 2.

The three-time All-Star, who drilled the game-tying 3-pointer to force overtime in Game 1, started Thursday’s game with another 3…

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Author : NBC Sports Boston

Publish date : 2024-05-24 03:08:02

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