It still goes into overtime for the Celtics against the Pacers | NBA

Like a week ago against Orlando, the Celtics had to go through an overtime to win at home in front of a poorly classified, Indiana in this case, who was still playing without his trio Brogdon-LeVert-Duarte.

The scenario was almost similar since after leading the race for most of the game and when the score was 71-60 after a 3-point from Josh Richardson at the start of the fourth quarter, Boston fell behind. again collapsed. At 3 points, Torrey Craig and Lance Stephenson then launched the “comeback” of the Pacers.

Domantas Sabonis then chained five points and two assists for the Craig-Brissett tandem from afar in order to place the Pacers in the lead at the entrance of the « money-time ». The pair then lined up two dunks to respond to two distant missiles from Jaylen Brown (83-87). Boston, however, managed to get out by a mouse hole, on two throws from Robert Williams III and a baseline jumpshot from Jayson Tatum at the last second to equalize and force an overtime (89-89).

And as against Orlando, the C’s managed to finish the job in stride, relying on the pair Brown-Tatum. Robert Williams III’s block followed by Grant Williams’ 3-pointers in transition also helped put Boston back on track. It was nevertheless necessary to wait for the last two throws of Jayson Tatum two seconds from the end and the failed throw-in of the Pacers to claim victory for the locals, winners 101-98.

WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER

– A game to quickly forget for both teams. The score could suggest a tussle worthy of the best hours of the Eastern Conference. He especially highlighted a competition of awkwardness, such as the shooting percentages (less than 40%, including less than 30% at 3-points on both sides), but also the lost balls (20 for Boston, 17 for Indiana) showed it at the end of the meeting. Boston finally won by the back door, in overtime against the Pacers greatly reduced. We move on!

– Thank you Robert Williams III. The Celtics can indeed thank their pivot, author of 14 points, 12 rebounds, 4 interceptions and 3 blocks, for having saved the furniture in the final. The latter did not tremble when he had to appear on the throwing line 38 seconds from the end when the score was +4 for the Pacers and his percentage of success in the exercise barely reached. the 62.5% this season. Boston was then able to force an overtime, and once again count on a strong moment of its pivot, with a counter on Oshae Brissett which allowed Grant Williams to score at 3-points in order to put the C’s on the right track.

TOPS / FLOPS

✅ The Brown-Tatum pair. Particularly roughed up in recent times, the duo would have been the first to be singled out if Boston had failed again. But the two players have shown that they have strong nerves, including taking important shots at the end of the fourth quarter and then regaining some of their superb in overtime. Admittedly, all was not perfect, far from it (0/7 at 3-points and 8 balls lost by Jayson Tatum, 11/26 for Jaylen Brown), but the tandem gave everything to try to grab the victory , including compiling 27 rebounds, and was rewarded.

✅ ⛔ Domantas Sabonis. Difficult evening for the Lithuanian who struggled to enter his match in attack, starting the fourth quarter with 4 small points on the clock. He also found himself on the ground after taking a good donut on a lay-up attempt, without a fault being called. On arrival, his triple-double at 11 points, 23 rebounds and 10 assists weighed too little in the balance and his 3/12 shooting is a task for the one who must be the leader of the Pacers.

THE FOLLOWING

The Celtics (20-21) and the Pacers (15-26) meet again this Wednesday, in Indiana this time.