INDIANAPOLIS — The criticism followed the Celtics for years — even this season, when they logged a near-perfect regular season. Sure, the C’s impressed in crunch-time games throughout the season, but the detractors wondered if they would be able to perform like this in the playoffs. So as the Celtics put the finishing touches on their comeback Game 3 win over the Pacers, those critics will have to keep waiting for Boston’s downfall.
Not only did the C’s rally from an 18-point second-half deficit, but they were nearly perfect in the clutch down the stretch. To the Pacers’ credit, the C’s needed to that high-level execution to squeak by with the 114-111 win to take the 3-0 series lead in the East Finals. There were plenty of storylines Saturday, but the Celtics’ clutch prowess was at the forefront after their most impressive win of these playoffs.
And most importantly: Even when they were down big in the second half, their spirit never wavered. This Celtics core is battle-tested in these playoffs, putting together these deep runs consistently. But the vast majority of this roster has yet to taste the joys of winning a ring. Yet, against a shorthanded-yet-dynamic Pacers team, the Celtics showed some of that championship mettle needed to get over that hump.
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“We believed,” Jayson Tatum said. “We believed that we still could win this game. There was a lot of time left. It’s damn sure not time to give up or even have that thought creep into your mind. We never thought that. Any timeout that we had, any guy that was on that court, we knew that we could play better and if we did play better, we would give ourselves a chance. And that was just the mindset throughout the game.”
The C’s were a perfect 2-0 in clutch games these playoffs coming into Saturday’s game. The NBA defines those scenarios as within a five-point game with less than five minutes to go in regulation or overtime. But there were some questions still as it wasn’t too close against the Cavs, plus the Pacers fell apart down the stretch of Game 1.
There was little doubt about the Celtics’ execution down the stretch of the Game 3 victory. The Pacers hit some tough shots — including a pair of back-breaking 3-pointers — that could’ve extinguished the Celtics’ comeback flames. But instead, the C’s just settled in and smoothly ripped off buckets. Jrue Holiday was absolutely massive with his clutch plays. Tatum’s behind-the-back pass to Al Horford for a massive 3-pointer will go down in the Celtics’ highlight package should they win it all. It took the entire team Saturday as the C’s rewarded their own belief with a spirited finish to the game.
“We knew it was gonna be a tough battle — and just it took everything for us to win this game,” Tatum said. “Being down 18, we needed every stop, every deflection, every rebound, every shot that, we made, we needed every ounce to that. So as a competitor, when you play this game, it’s a very emotional sport, and we want to win, and you let that out when you make plays like that.”
But the C’s know this job isn’t done even if the Pacers are down after such an emotional loss. They still need to pick up one more victory to get to the NBA Finals for the second time in three seasons. Even there — whoever it’s against — the Celtics know how close a ring can feel but have it all snatched away in an instant. Those are the scars from all those years of coming up short. Finally, though, the Celtics have a chance to overcome some demons, and Saturday’s gritty win was proof of that idea.
“I give the group a lot of credit because those things don’t happen for us in the past,” Horford said. “It hasn’t been good. And our group understands the opportunity that we have in front of us. And we really wanted to give ourselves the best chance tonight, and we didn’t waver. We just continued to play hard.”
