INDIANAPOLIS — While the Pacers didn’t have star guard Tyrese Haliburton throughout Game 3, it didn’t seem that way throughout the early parts of the game. The Pacers offense hummed efficiently — just like it has all season — as different players stepped up to shock the Celtics throughout the first half. At multiple points throughout Game 3, the Pacers held an 18-point lead against a stunned Boston team.
So to shake up their look on the court, C’s coach Joe Mazzulla turned to reserve big man Xavier Tillman for some defense. Luke Kornet missed Saturday’s game due to a left wrist sprain that knocked him out of Game 2 early. Initially, the adjustment in Game 2 was to rely on Oshae Brissett for center minutes. But the C’s needed a defensive injection — so in came Tillman. Mazzulla explained what Tillman brings that he wanted to see as he helped spark the thrilling Game 3 comeback win over the Pacers.
Fanatics Sportsbook
10X$100 BONUS BET
BET MATCH BONUS
Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, KY ,MD, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV); (888) 789-7777 or ccpg.org (CT); 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA); (800) 327-5050 or gamblinghelpline.org (MA), mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1800gambler.net (WV)
“He’s a great screener, he creates separation and he has the gift defensively to be able to play both drop and switch,” Mazzulla said. “So we were able to change our coverages when he was out there pretty frequently. He can guard different matchups because of his ability to play and drop and in switch, and so he just gave us some versatility.”
Tillman didn’t show up much on the box score, finishing with two points, one rebound and a steal in his 13 minutes. But he was a team-high plus-12 during his time on the court as he changed up the look. And when the Celtics locked down defensively throughout the second half, the Michigan State product was a part of that equation as his defense is a big part of his game.
The Celtics getting some Tillman production is a show of their depth as they’re shorthanded in the front court. Kristaps Porzingis continues to miss time with his right soleus strain, so Kornet has been the primary backup big man when he is available. But there’s a reason the front office traded for Tillman at the deadline, and he showed up when it mattered Saturday.
Tillman missed Game 1 of this series due to personal reasons because of a death in his family. But he’s been back with the team in recent days. And there’s certainly respect from the team for him as the C’s now lead the East Finals 3-0 against the Pacers. They’re now one win away from the NBA Finals, and Tillman contributed when his number was called Saturday.
“I really appreciate with what he’s going through right now just him being here,” Mazzulla said, “and then the ability to call on him and him deliver for us just says a lot about who he is as a person. So I appreciate him for that.”
