The Boston Celtics became the first team to reach the NBA Final this postseason after making a comeback to fefeat the Indiana Pacers 105-102 in Game 4, completing the Eastern Conference Finals clean sweep.
It was a total collapse by the Pacers who led for most of the third and fourth quarter, until the Celtics took a shock lead with minutes to go, Jayson Taturn sent a special thank you to teammate Derrick White after the game, saying: “He’s money, man” – as the Boston guard sunk a devastating 3-pointer late in the fourth.
There was only one game that ran away from the Pacers during the series as they were swarmed in Game 2, but even though the Celtics were marginally better they still managed to reach the NBA Finals without taking a loss in the penultimate round. Jaylen Brown led the Boston scorecards with 29 points, while Andrew Nembhard caused the Celtics defense problems all game, leading with 24 points for the Pacers.
There was a moment of controversy in the fourth quarter as Jaylen Brown escaped a flagrant foul call despite appearing to slap T. J. McConnell while the Indiana guard was mid-shot. It could have extended the Pacers’ lead and perhaps forced overtime.
It was an extra-emotional Memorial Day in the NBA following the news that two-time champion Bill Walton had died from cancer aged 71, with both Boston and Indiana paying their respects. Walton spent the final three years of his career in Boston and won his second NBA championship ring with the Celtics in 1986.
The Boston Celtics qualify and will wait to see whether they face the Dallas Mavericks or Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA Finals, although Dallas currently leads 3-0. No team has ever won a best-of-seven series in the NBA after losing the first three games.
