The Boston Celtics have advanced to the NBA Finals after a decisive 105-102 win over the Indiana Pacers, completing a 4-0 sweep in the Eastern Conference Finals. The victory in Indianapolis marked the Celtics’ seventh consecutive postseason win.
Key Moments in Game 4:
Jaylen Brown once again played a pivotal role in the Celtics’ victory. He scored a crucial basket to tie the game at 102-102 with 2:40 remaining and delivered a game-changing block on Andrew Nembhard. With 45 seconds left, Brown assisted Derrick White, who hit a three-pointer that ultimately sealed the game.
Despite Andrew Nembhard’s impressive performance for the Pacers, scoring 24 points with 10 assists and six rebounds, his missed three-pointer with 33 seconds remaining prevented the Pacers from tying the game.
Stellar Performances:
Brown led the Celtics’ scoring with 29 points, while Jayson Tatum contributed 26 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists. Brown’s outstanding play throughout the series earned him the Eastern Conference Finals MVP title.
“It’s been nothing but a grind, we haven’t skipped any steps all season,” Brown said. “We’ve got a bunch of great guys in this locker room, tough guys. Our coaching staff has been great, the front office has been great, and now we want to take the next step.”
Pacers’ Struggles and Future:
The Pacers, playing without their injured star guard Tyrese Haliburton, struggled to close out games, losing three out of four games in the series despite holding leads or being tied in the final minute. Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged the team’s need for improvement.
“Expectations will be raised for next year, which is good,” Carlisle said. “There are challenges to meet over the summer for our guys to get better, all of us involved need to get better.”
The Celtics will now prepare to face the winner of the Western Conference Finals, where the Dallas Mavericks lead the Minnesota Timberwolves 3-0. The Celtics return to the NBA Finals for the first time since losing to the Golden State Warriors two years ago and are aiming for their first NBA title since 2008.
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