May 24 - The Boston Celtics have put themselves in a commanding position in the Eastern Conference finals, taking a 2-0 series lead against the Indiana Pacers with a decisive 126-110 victory on Thursday night. Jaylen Brown was the star of the show, dropping a game-high 40 points and adding five rebounds to power the Celtics to the win.
Brown was unstoppable, shooting 14 of 27 from the floor and an impressive 8 of 11 from the free-throw line. His scoring prowess was complemented by strong performances from teammates Jayson Tatum and Derrick White, who each contributed 23 points. Al Horford also made his presence felt with six points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
The Celtics' victory was built on a crucial 20-0 run that spanned the end of the first quarter and the beginning of the second. This explosive stretch turned a close game into a commanding lead, with Boston surging from a 27-25 deficit to a 42-27 advantage. Indiana was held scoreless in the second quarter until Aaron Nesmith's free throws with just under seven minutes remaining.
Despite a valiant effort from Indiana, including 28 points from Pascal Siakam and 16 points from Andrew Nembhard, the Pacers couldn't close the gap. They managed to pull within two points in the third quarter after a Siakam three-pointer but were unable to sustain the momentum. The Celtics maintained a double-digit lead throughout the final quarter, never letting the Pacers get closer than 11 points.
A concerning moment for the Pacers came in the third quarter when point guard Tyrese Haliburton left the game with left leg soreness. He had been effective with 10 points and eight assists in 28 minutes before his departure. The loss of Haliburton could be a significant blow for Indiana as the series shifts to Indianapolis for Game 3.
Boston's defense also deserves credit, as they limited Indiana's opportunities and capitalized on turnovers. The Celtics' depth was tested with Luke Kornet exiting early due to a sprained left wrist and Kristaps Porzingis missing his eighth straight game with a calf strain, yet they still managed to dominate.
With the series moving to Indiana, the Pacers will look to leverage their perfect 6-0 home playoff record to claw back into the series. Game 3 is set for Saturday, and it promises to be a pivotal matchup in determining the fate of this Eastern Conference showdown.
Stay tuned as the Celtics aim to extend their lead and the Pacers fight to defend their home court in what has already been an exhilarating series.
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