Boston Celtics Edge Out Indiana Pacers in Game One of Eastern Conference Finals
In an exhilarating start to the Eastern Conference Finals, the Boston Celtics edged out the Indiana Pacers 133-128 in overtime at the TD Garden in Boston. The nail-biting game saw the Celtics’ Jaylen Brown hit a crucial three-pointer with just six seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game at 117-117, forcing overtime.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with a standout performance, scoring 36 points. He played a pivotal role in overtime, landing a key three-pointer followed by a quick lay-up from Derrick White in the final minute to secure the victory for the top-seeded Celtics.
“Welcome to the NBA playoffs. Anything can happen,” said Brown, who added 26 points to the scoreboard. “It’s not over until the final buzzer sounds. We found a way to win the game at the very end.”
The game was broadcast live on BBC One, capturing the intense atmosphere and the Celtics’ resilience in overcoming the Pacers. The Pacers struggled with turnovers, giving up 21, including a critical one just before Brown’s game-tying three-pointer.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle took responsibility for the loss, admitting, “The loss was totally on me” after he failed to call a timeout before Brown’s decisive shot.
Game two of the best-of-seven series will also take place at the TD Garden on Thursday. The winner of this series will advance to face either the Minnesota Timberwolves or the Dallas Mavericks, who are currently competing in the Western Conference Finals, for a spot in the NBA Finals.
The series promises to be a thrilling contest as both teams vie for the chance to compete for the NBA championship.