Jaylen Brown hit a remarkable three-pointer with less than six seconds left to save the Celtics and force overtime against the Indiana Pacers – before Boston claimed Game 1 in the Eastern Conference finals.
Jayson Tatum scored 36 points, including 10 in overtime, as the Celtics rallied just in time for a 133-128 victory at TD Garden.
Jrue Holiday added a season-high 28 points and Brown finished with 26.
Tyrese Haliburton had 25 points and 10 assists for the Pacers, who knocked down 13 three-pointers and scored 56 points in the paint against a Celtics team still playing without 7-footer Kristaps Porzingis.
Pascal Siakam added 24 points and 12 rebounds. Myles Turner finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds for the sixth-seeded Pacers, who twice turned it over with a three-point lead in the final 30 seconds of regulation.
Jaylen Brown hit a remarkable three-pointer with less than six seconds left to save the Celtics
Brown hit a devastating three from the corner with Pascal Siakam right in his face to tie it at 117
Tyrese Haliburton had 25 points and 10 assists for the Pacers but it wasn’t enough as they lost
Brown made them pay for the second one, hitting a three from the corner with Siakam right in his face to tie it at 117.
Indiana went back ahead 123-121 when Haliburton hit all three free throws after being fouled with 1:46 remaining. Tatum then muscled in a layup and was fouled by T.J. McConnell. He completed the three-point play to put Boston ahead for good.
The Pacers turned it over again, this time by Haliburton. The ball found its way to Tatum at the top of key. He pumped, sidestepped a defender and sunk a 3 to make it 127-123 with 43 seconds left.
Derrick White and Siakam traded layups. Holiday was fouled and hit two free throws to give Boston a 131-125 cushion. Game 2 is Thursday night in Boston.
More to follow.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk