The Boston Celtics won their third straight game over the Indiana Pacers 114-111 on Saturday, May 25, to take a 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals, one win away from their second NBA finals appearance in three years.
The Celtics’ starters dominated in Game 3, recording 110 of Boston's 114 total points, with guard Payton Prichard and center Xavier Tillman capturing two points each off the bench. All-star guard Jayson Tatum led Boston in scoring (36), rebounds (10), and assists (8), which he has done for the entirety of Boston’s postseason. Tatum finished the game with zero turnovers, becoming the first player in NBA history to record that stat line without turning the ball over, regular season games included.
The first player in NBA history to record these numbers with zero turnovers 👀 pic.twitter.com/qHQHNVom1j
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 26, 2024
Boston guard Jaylen Brown and center Al Horford joined Tatum as the only Celtics to score 20+ points, with Brown recording 24 and Horford recording 23. 21 of Horfords 23 points came from beyond the arc, as the Celtics big-man shot 7-12 from three-point range, becoming one of four centers in NBA playoff history to capture seven three-point baskets.
Celtics guard Jrue Holiday finished the contest with 14 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. He also captured a clutch steal at the end of regulation, which allowed him to sink the two game-sealing free throws, guaranteeing Boston’s third straight victory in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
In the absence of All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who missed Game 3 due to a left hamstring injury, Pacers’ guard Andrew Nembhard captured a career-high 32 points, 21 of them coming in the first half of play, to give Indiana a 69-57 lead at halftime. At one point in the second quarter, Indiana was leading by 18 points; however, the Celtics erased that deficit to capture a three-point victory. It is uncertain if Haliburton will play in Game 4 on Monday, May 27 in Indiana, however it was clear the Pacers’ were able to hold their own without him. Guard TJ McConnell (23), center Myles Turner (22), and forward Pascal Siakam (22) joined Nembhard as the four Pacers to record 20+ points. Those four combined for 99 of Indiana’s 111 points.
Andrew Nembhard gave it his all in Game 3
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 26, 2024
32 PTS (career-high)
9 AST
12-21 FG
Stepped up in place of Hali 🙌 pic.twitter.com/hhVNKTTJWT
The Boston Celtics have improved their record to 5-0 on the road in the 2024 postseason. They hope to continue their road winning streak and complete a four-game sweep over the Pacers. The Pacers hope to capture their first win of the series on Monday, May 27, and keep their hopes at an NBA finals apperance alive.
