Join me on RateGame: apps.apple.com/app/apple-stor...
This was a masterclass in how to lose a game. But what we saw in game 1, might be a sign for an interesting series.
Right at the startt, the Celtics jumped on Indiana and manifested their true power, showing why they were the number one team all season long.
Boston went on an electric 12-0 run to start the game, playing some stifling defense and punishing the Pacers on the offensive end.
But despite the initial shock, Indiana were able to stabilize things, and Obi Topin sped things up to the point where the Celtics couldn’t follow, so they made a run towards the end of the quarter.
The home team seemingly had a talent level and matchup advantage, but Indiana was able to level the playing field, imposing their style of play with a lot of running up and down the court, which baited Boston into shooting some rushed shots.
Meanwhile, watch how the ball is flying from man to man and side to side for Indiana, generating some great looks. By halftime they already had 22 assists, this is about the average for an NBA team for the entire game.
Myles Turner exploded in the 2nd quarter for 12 points, shooting a perfect 5 of 5 from the field, and dropping a few monster jams along the way.
Following their lights out shooting in game 7, The Pacers were super efficient shooting the ball in the 1st half of this one as well, 58.7% from the field and 53.3% from downtown. And just like that, they made it a tie game going into the break after this bomb from way outside by Haliburton.
Coming out of halftime, Boston blitzed the Pacers yet again. Defensively forcing them into a bunch of turnovers, it was as if they forgot how to play basketball.
And on the other end, Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday completely took over. With 21 combined points, they opened up a big lead for the Celtics, and it seemed like they finally broke through Indiana.
But when things looked dark for this team, an unlikely hero emerges. For like the 20 twentieth time in these playoffs. It’s TJ Mcconnel. Scoring, assisting and overall causing havoc for the Boston defense.
And just like that, they’re back in this game. Even more so, after yet another bomb by Hali.
Woooow, a display of wild shots by Tyrese in this game. We’re in for a dramatic finish.
In the 4th, watch Siakam literally destroy Boston with the same exact shot over and over again, to keep the Pacers in control of this game.
And the Celtics were struggling. Some of it was the defense, but they missed a lot of open shots as well, and if it wasn’t for Jrue Holiday keeping them afloat in this period as well, they would have lost the game by this point.
But in a crucial possession, up by 1, the ball finds Andrew Nembhard and..
What a huge shot by Nembhard to put his team up by 3 and Boston has to score right here however Tatum misses it.
Indiana’s in a great position but Haliburton coughs it up, a completely unforced error that could cost them.
The Celtics take this opportunity as White drives inside aaand misses, fight for the ball, Tatum has it, fires up a weird one legged shot and he misses. Indiana has it, and Boston has to foul again for the free throws. It’s finally over right? Right?
What is going on?! What did I just witness? Indy had the win in their hands and they let it slip away multiple times. What a shot by Brown saving the Celtics and sending this game into overtime. Oh my…
In OT, despite all the momentum being on the side of the home team, these young Pacers would not give up, and they actually had the lead with a minute and change to go, until Tatum took matters into his own hands.
And Holiday absolutely hounds Haliburton on this possession not allowing him to even see the basket, and forcing yet another turnover. Which sets up the deciding moment of the game.
Tatum comes up huge in overtime, and finally provides some breathing room for his team, and his running mate is able to seal the deal right here with the perfect defensive stop, getting the steal, and securing the win, albeit much more difficult than anyone expected.
I gave this one a 9.0 rating on rategame. And I agree with Chazzy I underestimate Indiana as well.
Rategame is an app that I’m a part of btw. We score each game by how good it is. There is a 6 hour window from the time the game ends so you watch it rate it and that’s it. No going back.
Download the app from the link in the description.
The conference finals started out hot, and it’s only right after seeing something that had never happened before in the playoffs. I broke it down in this video so you gotta check it out.
Talk to you in the next one. Peace out.
21 май 2024
