Boston Celtics sweep Indiana Pacers to reach NBA Finals

INDIANAPOLIS – Derrick White had missed seven of eight three-point attempts on May 27, when he found himself open in the right corner of the floor in the final minute of a tied game with a National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals berth at stake.

He watched Jaylen Brown handle the ball and was just waiting for his Boston Celtics teammate to deliver a pass. Once Brown did just that, it was his turn to make a play.

“Just was trusting that JB is going to make the right play like he has this entire year,” White said.

“I got a good look and wanted to stay in the shot and knock it down.”

He drained the three-pointer with 45 seconds left and the Celtics finished off a four-game sweep of the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals with a 105-102 victory at Indianapolis.

“It’s a credit to him,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said of White’s perseverance. “He’s another guy who has short-term memory. The last (missed) shot doesn’t bother him.”

The Celtics are now looking ahead to the “next step”. They will face the winners of the Western Conference Finals, where the Dallas Mavericks hold a 3-0 lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves ahead of Game 4 on May 28.

Boston’s win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse was their seventh straight in the post-season but they left it late against a Pacers team again without injured star guard Tyrese Haliburton.

It was also their second straight late comeback win in Indianapolis. The Celtics overcame an eight-point deficit with two minutes and 38 seconds left in Game 3 to post a 114-111 victory. 

Their star player Brown proved decisive once more. He hit a floater to level at 102-102, then superbly rose to block Andrew Nembhard at the rim.

And with time running out, Brown managed to find White in the corner and the guard sank the shot that ultimately clinched the game – and the series.

“It’s been nothing but a grind, we haven’t skipped no steps all season,” said Brown, named the Eastern Conference Finals Most Valuable Player after averaging 29.8 points off 51.7 per cent shooting in the series.

“We’ve got a bunch of great guys in this locker room, tough guys. Our coaching staff has been great, front office great and now we want to take the next step.”

Brown led Boston’s scoring with 29 points and Jayson Tatum had 26 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. White contributed 16 points as he played a vital role.

“We never say die,” Tatum added, praising his game-winning teammate White. “These were some tough games we had to play in, and we always find a way to figure it out. It’s different guys every single night and we sacrifice in order to reach our ultimate goal.”

Nembhard, who had 24 points, 10 assists and six rebounds for the Pacers, missed a three-pointer with 33 seconds left which would have tied the game.

The Celtics return to the NBA Finals two years after losing to the Golden State Warriors as they search for their first NBA title since 2008.

Mazzulla paid tribute to his team.

“Look at all the talent, look at the players that we have. It’s really all about them,” he said.

“They let us coach them. They allow us to push them, they listen to us... As a coach, the greatest gift you can have is a group of guys that trust you and that allow you to coach them.”

Boston have gone 12-2 throughout the post-season as they beat the Miami Heat, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Pacers to reach their 23rd NBA Finals in franchise history.

Indiana coach Rick Carlisle admitted defeat but said it had been a “magical” season.

“The level of fight was just tremendous all the way,” he added.

“Circumstance never fazed them one way or the other. A lot of respect to our players and how they conducted themselves in the series.

“There are a lot of things accomplished this year. Expectations will be raised for next year, which is good.” AFP, REUTERS