Jrue Holiday made a game-winning three-pointer and added a crucial steal in the dying seconds of regulation to lead the Boston Celtics to a 114-111 victory against the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference in Indianapolis. Jayson Tatum had 36 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists to help Boston take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Jaylen Brown scored 24 points and Al Horford made a career-high seven three-pointers while scoring 23.
Aaron Nesmith of the Indiana Pacers had a 3-pointer that bounced off the rim as time expired. Andrew Nembhard recorded a career-high 32 points and nine assists for the sixth-seeded Pacers. T.J. McConnell chipped in with 23 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, Myles Turner had 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Pascal Siakam had 22 points for Indiana, which suffered its first home loss in seven playoff games.
The Pacers missed the service of Tyrese Haliburton, an All-NBA Third Team pick, who injured his left hamstring injury in Game 2. On the other hand, Holiday was not cleared to play until around 45 minutes before tipoff owing to an illness. The American point guard finished with 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals. Game 4 is scheduled for May 28, Tuesday in Indianapolis.
Boston trailed by five before Horford hit a three-pointer with 1:12 remaining, and Holiday added his crucial three-point play to give the Celtics a 112-111 lead with 38.9 seconds left. Later, the Pacers opted not to take a timeout in search of a game-winning shot. Nembhard had the ball, but Holiday forced it away with 3.3 seconds left. Holiday was then fouled and converted two free throws with 1.7 seconds remaining.
Derrick White scored 13 points for the Celtics, who shot 47 percent from the field and 16 of 46 from the three-point range. The home side shot 50.5 percent from the field and made 5 of 22 three-pointers. The Pacers shot only 38.3 percent overall in the second half. Boston trailed by 18 points in the third quarter before closing to 93-90 on Horford’s three-pointer with 8:31 left in the game.
McConnell and Nembhard responded with baskets, extending the margin to seven. Indiana led 109-101 after McConnell’s driving layup with 2:38 left, but the Celtics rallied with a 13-2 run to seal the victory. Nembhard scored 17 of his 21 first-half points in the second quarter, giving the Pacers a 69-57 lead at the intermission. Indiana fired a blazing 63.6 percent from the field throughout the half. Tatum had 20 points in the opening two quarters for Boston.
