(Photo : Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – Isaiah Jackson (#22) of the Indiana Pacers yells at Jrue Holiday (#4) of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 23, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts.
The Boston Celtics finally slayed the curse of Game 2 that has been haunting them this postseason by taking care of business against the Pacers, 126-110.
The whole game was in Boston’s control, unlike in the first two series when they lost to the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The usual suspects led the way for the Cs, while the Pacers did not have enough against the first seed.
The performance reflects Jayson Tatum’s comment from Game 1, in which he said their confidence is much better heading into Game 2 despite needing an overtime period in the series opener.
Read more: Cavaliers Head Coach Candidates, Who Will Lead This Young Team?
“First two rounds, we won our first Game 1 by a wide margin,” he told reporters.
“Maybe human nature played a factor into that. But tonight being a close game, going into overtime, they certainly feel like they probably should have won, and we feel like we can play a lot better. So, I’m excited for us to come out and respond and just do a better job of protecting home-court than we have done recently.”
The excitement translated on the court as everyone contributed to the win.
Even their fourth-stringer center logged significant minutes, as he was +18 in just 18 minutes of play.
3 main takeaways from the Celtics’ crucial Game 2 victory
Jaylen Brown is extra motivated
Brown is a Top 15 player. However, he did not get that nod yesterday during the release of the All-NBA team.
He proved that there were no 15 players better than him on the court when he scored 40 points for his team, matching his highest-ever output in a playoff game.
He took charge not only in terms of scoring but also in attacking the listless Pacers’ defense, as he was able to attack from anywhere while also creating chances for others.
Brown drained the game-tying shot to force overtime in Game 1. The Pacers should know by now that they need to contain one guy, especially to have a chance.
Out-talented and still out-hustled are the Pacers
Payton Pritchard vowed to be more aggressive on the glass for Game 2 after his lackluster performance.
He delivered for the team, along with the rest of the role players, as they outplayed their guests in terms of offensive rebounding and other hustle plays.
The Celtics showed they wanted the win more as they recorded ten offensive rebounds in the first half.
By the end of the game, Boston beat Indiana in inside points, 54-34, and 18-13 in second-chance points.
Pacers lost their leader, who is that?
Unfortunately, All-Star and All-NBA Third Team member Tyrese Haliburton had to exit the game early after stepping on a teammate’s foot.
He finished the game with ten points in only eight attempts, which is uncharacteristic for someone tagged as a leader and an All-Star.
Pascal Siakam was as reliable as ever after finishing with 28 points.
However, his frontcourt partner Miles Turner was barely felt.
Turner, the longest-tenured player on the team, was too passive against the Celtics, whose best big man is Al Horford. He scored just eight points and recorded just four rebounds.
He should have been the one to step up after Haliburton’s exit. Unfortunately, they barely got anything from him.
Related article: All-NBA First Team 2024: Players Who Were Snubbed and Those Who Do Not Deserve the Nod
© 2023 Sportsworldnews.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.