The Celtics needed overtime to defeat the Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Jayson Tatum scored 36 points, including 10 in overtime, after Jaylen Brown’s tying 3-pointer with 6.1 seconds remaining in regulation, leading Boston to a 133-128 victory over Indiana.
Jrue Holiday added a season-high 28 points, and Brown finished with 26, helping the Celtics hold on to home-court advantage with Game 2 set for Thursday in Boston.
Tyrese Haliburton had 25 points and 10 assists for the Pacers, who knocked down 13 3-pointers and scored 56 points in the paint against a Celtics team still playing without Kristaps Porzingis.
The Celtics were cold for most of the game from 3-point range but ended the night 15 of 45 from beyond the arc.
Pascal Siakam added 24 points and 12 rebounds, and Myles Turner finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds for the sixth-seeded Pacers, who twice turned it over with a three-point lead in the final 30 seconds of regulation.
Brown made them pay for the second turnover, hitting a 3 from the corner with Siakam right in his face to tie it at 117.
