Derrick White’s tiebreaking three-pointer with 43 seconds left provided Boston the lead and the Celtics closed out a four-game sweep of the Indiana Pacers 105-102 on Monday night to reach the NBA finals for the 2nd time in 3 years.
White endedup with 16 points. Jaylen Brown led Boston with 29 points while Jayson Tatum included 26 points, 13 rebounds and 8 helps to assistance eliminate a nine-point second-half deficit.
“They battled us difficult to the wire, they have pride as a group. They didn’t desire to offer up,” Tatum stated after the videogame. “We missedouton bunnies all night. I understood we were due for one. That was a huge time shot.”
The Celtics will play the winner of the Dallas-Minnesota Series. The Mavericks are up 3-0 and have a opportunity to win the series on Tuesday night.
Indiana, who onceagain played without two-time All-Star Tyrese Haliburton, lost their 2nd straight at home – both in the last minute after offering up leads. Andrew Nembhard had 24 points, 10 helps and 6 rebounds however missedouton a possibly connecting three-pointer in the closing seconds and the Pacers neverever got the ball onceagain.
Pascal Siakam included 19 points and 10 rebounds for Indiana while TJ McConnell had 15 points and Aaron Nesmith had 14.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle assured his group would battle to extend their season – and, as normal, the young lineup contended hard. Tempers flared briefly in the 3rd when Pacers center Myles Turner knocked White to the ground, Brown got Turner’s shoulder and Turner pushed Brown away.
“Our guys welcomed it,” Carlisle stated of his group’s effort. “Give them credit fo