In a thrilling Eastern Conference semifinal matchup, the Indiana Pacers emerged victorious with a 122-112 win over the Boston Celtics in the NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament. The Pacers’ triumph secured their place in the highly anticipated Eastern finals, scheduled to take place in Las Vegas on Thursday night.
Indiana Pacers Advance, Defeat Celtics in In-Season Tournament
The star of the game was undoubtedly Tyrese Haliburton, whose outstanding performance propelled the Pacers to victory. Haliburton’s stellar display included a triple-double, as he recorded 26 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds. One of the defining moments of the game came when Haliburton converted a 3-pointer while drawing a foul from Jaylen Brown. His subsequent successful free throw put the Pacers ahead 109-105, and they sealed the game by scoring the next five crucial points.
The Pacers showcased their offensive prowess throughout the game, particularly in the third quarter, where they exploded for an impressive 37 points. They demonstrated their long-range shooting ability, sinking a total of 19 three-pointers. Buddy Hield contributed 21 points to the team’s cause, while Myles Turner recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Bennedict Mathurin also made a significant impact, adding 16 points to the Pacers’ tally.
On the other side of the court, the Celtics fought hard but ultimately fell short. Jayson Tatum led the charge for Boston with an impressive 32 points, closely followed by Jaylen Brown, who contributed 30 points. Despite their valiant efforts, the Celtics struggled to match the Pacers’ offensive firepower. They will now have to regroup and refocus as they prepare to resume regular-season action on Friday.
With this victory, the Pacers secure their spot in the Eastern finals of the in-season tournament. The winner of the other Eastern semifinal between the New York Knicks and the Milwaukee Bucks will join them in the Las Vegas finals. Fans eagerly await this showdown, as the top teams battle it out for the coveted championship crown.
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As the Pacers celebrate their hard-fought victory, they can take pride in their exceptional performance against a formidable opponent. The team’s collective effort, led by Tyrese Haliburton’s triple-double, showcased their determination and skill. With eyes now set on the Eastern finals, the Pacers are poised to continue their impressive run in the inaugural in-season tournament.
