In the run-up to the start of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, Boston Celtics was the great favorite versus Indiana Pacers. However, he suffered greatly to win the first game at home by 133-128. What’s more, she was very close to losing him. An agonizing triple of Jaylen Brown He took the match to overtime when the situation was already desperate for the best team of the regular season.
At that moment when Brown was about to shoot the triple, time seemed to stop. Pascal Siakam He was trying to avoid fouling the shooter. The Pacers’ substitutes begged for a ruling. Rick Carlisle, with his hands on his hips, was suffering in anticipation. Experienced referee Tony Brothers carefully observed that there was no contact between Brown and Siakam. The Celtics fans, who had filled TD Garden, placed their hope in that shot.
We already know the outcome of that shot: Brown got it right and the game went to overtime.
Before, the Pacers had the duel in their hands. With a 3-point lead and 10 seconds on the clock, they only had to recover from the sideline and put the ball in play to receive a foul that would send them to the free throw line. But the pass attempt Andrew Nembhard For Siakam it was compromised and under pressure from Brown, the ball went out and the Celtics had a new opportunity.
“It was a good defensive play and we created that turnover,” said Brown, who finished with 26 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.
The replacement from the back of the field of Jrue Holiday He found Brown in the corner and the triple gave breathing room to some overwhelmed Celtics.
“Jrue made a great pass after White’s excellent screen,” explained the Boston hero. “The rest is known history,” he concluded.
The Department of Statistics ESPN indicates that it was the first three-pointer Brown shot and made to tie or go ahead in a playoff game. He had already had a similar option with a two-point attempt that he also made, on May 5, 2018 against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Precisely Brown, who was pointed out more than once by people and others as the main problem of these Celtics. His multimillion-dollar contract extension fueled those comments. His performances in decisive games in the last postseason, too.
The truth is that although Jayson Tatum is Boston’s main star who exploded in the overtime to seal the victory, and Holiday and Derrick White They are the most consistent players both in defense and attack, Brown dressed as a hero on the opening night of the Eastern final series.
The Celtics need all their main figures to reach the NBA Finals. Just because they are favorites does not guarantee them a ticket to face the best in the West. That Brown has appeared at the right time is an excellent first step on the path to the glory so desired and postponed since 2008.
