Boston Takes Game 2 No Problem
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 24 May 2024
Boston knows now that Indiana is true to its reputation as a high scoring team whether in victory or defeat. As in game 1 where the Celtics almost flirted with defeat if not of later game boner by the Pacers.
Coach Joseph Mazzula therefore made the necessary adjustments to enable the Celts to beat Indiana with no problem this time 126-110 and take a 2-0 in their Eastern Conference Finals best of seven series at the TD arena.
The win protected the Celtics homecourt advantage in the series.
But if one go by statistics alone, it would be hard to see how Boston won, and by large a margin. Both the Celtics and the Pacers shoot more than 50 percent from the field, including nearly 40 percent from the three points land.
Deeper look however will show Boston was better in stringing its points and scored more points in the painted area, 62 to 38. This could be attributable to the Celtics better defense, rebounding 40 to 37, and playmaking 28 assists to 23.
Jaylen Brown and Pascal Siakam, the principals in game 1 were again the main players for the opposing teams in this game, leading mainly in points production.
However, Brown aside from starting fast and hot was able to sustain his effort until the later quarters. Siakam on the other hand lacked the support he had in game 1 with center Myles Turner and Tyrese Haliburton getting stymied by the Celtics defense anchored on Al Horford and Jrue Holiday.
After a close first quarter, which even went to the Pacers, 27-25, the Celtics through Brown, Tatum, Horford and Derreck White started to wrest the initiative and take a 57-51 halftime lead.
The Celtics took control of the game by the third quarter even building their largest leads which the Pacers tried vainly to cut to manageable margins entering the last quarter.
Boston essentially coasted to victory matching Indiana basket for basket for a comfortable second game win.
Brown scored a night high 40 points to lead Boston. Tatum and White supported him with 23 points each.
Holiday added 16 points and Payton Pitchard contributed 15 points. Horford managed 6 points and team high 10 rebounds.
For Indiana, Siakam topped with 25 points followed by Andrew Nembhard with 16 points and Obi Toppin with 11 points. Haliburton was limited to 10 points, same with Turner, Aaron Nesmith and TJ McConnell who were below 10 points each.
The series switched to Indiana for the next two games.
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
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