The Boston Celtics defeated the Indiana Pacers 133-128 in an overtime (OT) thriller in Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
The Pacers had a chance to clinch the win in regular time, leading by three points (117-114) with just 39.1 seconds remaining. Jayson Tatum missed a crucial three-pointer from the top of the key. However, Tyrese Haliburton’s turnover returned possession to the Celtics. Derrick White drove aggressively to the basket, but his layup failed to connect, and Tatum’s follow-up attempt also missed, sending the game into overtime.
In the overtime period, the Celtics capitalized on their momentum and experience to outpace the Pacers. Their collective effort secured the victory in front of a home crowd, setting the tone for the remainder of the series.
The Celtics’ win underscores their determination to advance to the NBA Finals, while the Pacers will look to regroup and adjust their strategy for Game 2.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
