Celtics Escape with Overtime Win in Game 1 of Eastern Conference Finals
Pacers Open with Dominant First Half, Celtics Rally for OT Victory
Haliburton Leads Pacers with 33 Points
The Boston Celtics overcame a 30-point deficit in the first half to defeat the Indiana Pacers 133-128 in overtime in Game 1 of the 2024 Eastern Conference finals on Tuesday. The win gives the Celtics a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 33 points, while Jayson Tatum scored a team-high 31 for the Celtics. Jaylen Brown added 28 points and Marcus Smart contributed 20 for Boston.
The Pacers opened the game with a dominant first half, shooting 58 percent from the field and taking a 70-40 lead into the break. Haliburton led the way with 19 points in the first half, while the Celtics struggled to keep up.
However, the Celtics came out with renewed energy in the second half, outscoring the Pacers 33-15 in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 85-73. The Celtics continued to chip away at the lead in the fourth quarter, tying the game with just over two minutes remaining.
In overtime, the Celtics took control of the game, outscoring the Pacers 13-5 to secure the victory. Tatum scored five points in overtime, while Smart added four.
The Celtics will host Game 2 of the series on Thursday, May 25. The Pacers will need to regroup and find a way to slow down the Celtics' offense if they want to tie the series.
In a game that featured several thrilling moments, the Celtics ultimately escaped with a hard-fought victory. The Pacers will have a chance to bounce back in Game 2, but the Celtics will be looking to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the series.
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