Jayson Tatum surprised the NBA world nailing a clutch game winning shot last Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks.
With Tatum’s offense brewing, the Indiana Pacers edged the Boston Celtics in a 108-107 win on Sunday night.
The Pacers are 3-0 for the first time since the start of the 2013-14 NBA season after relying on floor general general Malcolm Brogdon.
Brogdon scored 25 points on 11-for-20 shooting while Domantas Sabonis recorded his third double-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
In the third quarter, the Pacers scored the first 12 points with Warren having seven of his 17 points. Not only did the Celtics have 18 turnovers for the entire game, decision making on the Celtics drive translated to easy pass deflections and transition points on the Pacers end.
Myles Turner secured five blocks with one huge block on Daniel Theis early in the third quarter.
Sabonis hit the go-ahead game winning layup through contact with 8.4 seconds in the fourth quarter putting the Pacers up 108-107.
Once Tatum had the opportunity the close the deal once again, Brogdon prevented the drive and forced Tatum to settle for the long range three-pointer only to miss. Tatum 25 points and 11 rebounds couldn’t seal the deal after the Celtics dropped to 1-2 to start their season.
Brogdon spoke highly of head coach Nate Bjorkgren and how his energy sets the tone for the team to execute plays on both ends.
“We got a coach that motivates us,” Brogdon told the Indy Star. “A coach that’s great with the Xs and Os. A coach that stays calm in high pressure situations. We feed off him in every aspect of the game.
The Pacers missed Victor Oladipo who was listed as resting and Turner was fortunate to return for the rest of the game after tweaking his ankle limping off the court late in the third.
On Tuesday, the Celtics will host the Pacers in their second of four meetings this season with the Pacers up 1-0 in the regular season series.
Click on the next page for BOS vs IND post-game highlights.