By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Boston Celtics will again have the chance to end their 16-year NBA championship drought after sweeping the Indiana Pacers to claim the first spot in the NBA Finals on May 28, 2024.
In another thrilling road finish, the Celtics relied on a late fourth-quarter rally to defeat the Pacers in Game 4, 105-102, securing a 4-0 victory in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Similar to Game 3, the Pacers controlled the first three quarters. However, in the final minutes, the Celtics made the crucial plays to turn the game around. Indiana led by as much as nine points, but Boston’s late surge changed the outcome.
Trailing 95-100 with four minutes left, the Celtics rallied and tied the game at 102 after Jaylen Brown’s leaning floater. The Pacers failed to score in the final minutes, making poor decisions and rushed offensive plays.
With 1:09 remaining, Indiana had a chance to regain the lead, but Andrew Nembhard’s coast-to-coast layup was blocked by Brown. Derrick White then hit the game-winning three-pointer with 46 seconds left, silencing the Indiana fans and giving Boston the lead.
Nembhard’s attempt at a game-tying three-pointer missed, and the Celtics secured the defensive rebound. In the final 19 seconds, Jayson Tatum missed a step-back three, but Jrue Holiday’s crucial offensive rebound sealed the series for Boston.
Brown led the Celtics with 29 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Tatum also had a strong performance with 26 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, and a steal.
Indiana’s main scorer, Tyrese Haliburton, was unable to play due to a leg injury.
