the Indiana Pacers Games made with Boston Celtics Close to the Eastern Conference Finals.
But they weren’t close enough to win a game, which meant they were a long way from winning the series.
Boston swept Indiana, ending the series with Victory A105-102 In the fourth match on Monday. The Celtics reached the Finals in the Round of 23Research and development time as they try to win 18y championship. Boston played in the 2022 Finals, losing to Golden State and has not won a title since 2008.
Game 4 was played similarly to games one and three of the series. The Pacers led for long portions of the game and owned a lead late in the fourth quarter.
Indiana made it 98-90 with 5:56 remaining in the fourth quarter. But the Celtics’ ability to score and defend — they had the No. 1 offense and No. 2 defense during the regular season — took over late. Missed shots and turnovers doomed the Pacers.
Boston beat Indiana 15-4 to close out the game. Jaylen Brown had a blocked shot and then assisted on Derrick White’s three points to give the Celtics a 105-102 lead. That was Boston’s only lead of the fourth quarter.
Brown scored 29 points and added six rebounds, three steals, two assists and one block, while Jayson Tatum scored 26 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and eight assists. Brown earned Most Valuable Player honors in the Eastern Conference Finals, averaging 29.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals and shooting 51.7% from the field and 37% on 3-pointers.
Other factors conspired against the Pacers. NBA point guard Tyrese Haliburton missed the final two games of the series with a strained left hamstring. Add in the expected absence of Benedict Mathurin — he underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in March — and the Pacers’ depth becomes an issue against Boston.
The Celtics, who were without Kristaps Porzingis (calf injury), had plenty of talent. Four of the five Celtics scored in double figures, and Derrick White had another solid two-way performance: 16, four rebounds, four assists, five steals and three blocks. Jrue Holiday added 17 points and nine rebounds.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle promised that his team plans to make it difficult for the Celtics to close out the Eastern Conference Finals with a sweep.
Carlisle — and by extension the Pacers — have delivered on that pledge. But that was not enough to extend the series.
Coming off a 32-point playoff loss in Game 3, Andrew Nembhard scored 24 points and dished out 10 assists on Monday. Indiana’s Pascal Siakam scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
Boston will play the winner Minnesota Timberwolves–Dallas Mavericks series in the NBA Finals, beginning June 6 in Boston.
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