By Darryl Harding Sr –
A bittersweet evening as we hear of the passing of former Celtic Bill Walton, the Celtics not only celebrate his life and legacy but an opportunity taken by advancing to the NBA Finals. The Celtics have managed to sweep a formidable Indiana Pacers team 4-0 advancing them to the NBA Finals which begin Thursday June 6th.
Although never losing a game to the Pacers, do not be fooled, Indiana was a formidable opponent and a 4-0 sweep doesn’t do them justice. This series could very easily have been 3-1 in favor of the Pacers, had it not been for the shutdown defense and constant offensive production of the Boston Celtics.
Game 1 saved by a game tying 3-pointer by conference Finals MVP Jaylen Brown could have easily gone the other way and Game 3, which had the Celtics down by 18 halfway through the 3rd quarter, the Celtics only had a lead for a little over 38 seconds. Then there’s Game 4, tied at 102-102 when Derek White hit what would be the game-winning 3-pointer with 44 seconds left, to give the Celtics a 105-102 victory.
Notable performances by the Pacers, Pascal Siakam scored 19 points with 10 rebounds and Andrew Nembhard also had a double-double with 24 points and 10 assists, but unfortunately for the Pacers this was not enough.
Jaylen Brown commented on how amazing the Pacers played, ”we thought they were just lights out…the first three quarters we couldn’t figure it out…But then in the fourth quarter the tide turned and they started slowing down.”
Unable to score during the last 3 minutes and 33 seconds of the game, Indiana definitely lulled and the Celtics completed the sweep. The quest for Banner 18 continues and the Celtics wait to see who triumphs between the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Most likely it will be Dallas, who holds a 3-0 lead in the series and as we know no team has come back after being down 3-0 in games. To complete this series Jason Tatum shined with 26 points and 13 rebounds, but it was Jaylen Brown with 29 Points and a key block down the stretch that secured the Larry Bird Eastern Conference Final MVP award.
After being snubbed for a spot in the All NBA Team, it is fitting that Brown showed them what he and the Celtics are made of. Now facing a short hiatus to rest and prepare mentally for the NBA finals to secure Banner number 18, which would surpass the LA Lakers and make the Celtics the best franchise in NBA history.
If it turns out that the Celtics face the Dallas Mavericks and former Celtic Kyrie Irving in the Finals, tell Kyrie to get his sage and let’s get down to business.