Boston Celtics” src=”https://cdn.celtics.com/logos/teams/latest/svg/BOS.svg” width=”150″ height=”150″> | 114 | FINAL | 111 | Indiana Pacers” src=”https://cdn.celtics.com/logos/teams/latest/svg/IND.svg” width=”150″ height=”150″> |
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN | May 25, 2024 |
Key moment
Let Jrue Holiday make the biggest defensive play of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Holiday, a second-team all-defensive player this season who certainly could have been a first-team pick, struggled with his defense on the game’s most important possession. He arrived with less than 10 seconds left and with the Celtics leading by just one point.
Jayson Tatum had just missed a layup with 10.1 seconds left on the clock to give Indiana a chance to take the lead. Andrew Nembhard took the ball in transition and attempted to pass to Holiday, but Holiday jumped Nembhard’s driving lane and pushed the ball with his left hand. This occurred just after Holiday somehow avoided falling to the ground as he lost his balance backing toward the defensive side of the court.
Holiday not only stripped the ball from Nembhard, but also corralled the loose ball with 3.3 seconds left. He took the ball the wrong way and was intentionally fouled by Pascal Siakam with 1.7 seconds left on the clock. The 15-year veteran went to the line and canned both gifts to give Boston a three-point lead.
Indiana failed to score out of a timeout, leaving the Celtics with a 3-0 series lead that was sparked by their defense and Holiday’s key steal.
INDIANKeynote USAOLIS, IN – MAY 25: Jayson Tatum #0 and Jrue Holiday #4 of the Boston Celtics hug after the game against the Indiana Pacers during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 25, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: The user expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading or using this photograph, the user agrees to the terms and conditions of the /Keynote USA/Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Notice: 2024 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via /Keynote USA/Getty Images)
Key statistics
INDIANKeynote USAOLIS, IN – MAY 25: The Boston Celtics huddle during play against the Indiana Pacers during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 25, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis , Ind. NOTE TO USER: The user expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading or using this photograph, the user agrees to the terms and conditions of the /Keynote USA/Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Notice: 2024 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via /Keynote USA/Getty Images)
Key highlight
P4: 03.3 – (IND) Nembhard Turnover: Loose Ball (2 TO) Steal: Holiday (3 ST)
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