Three stars from Monday’s NBA playoffs

Tatum’s outside shot has wavered throughout the playoffs. Even in the Celtics’ sweep, he was only 11-of-36 from three-point range and 3-of-11 in Game 4. 

But he made up for it by doing everything else, averaging 10.3 rebounds (13 in Game 4), consistently drawing the Pacers defense, and finding open teammates.

For a player and a team that drew criticism for their late-game play, the conference finals were redemption, as Tatum and the Celtics made the right plays over and over in big moments. Closing the series with two consecutive eight-assist games drove that home.

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown | 29 points, three steals

Next year, Jaylen Brown starts playing under the largest contract in NBA history. He had an equally big Eastern Conference Finals, scoring 29 points in the closeout game in a series where he averaged 29.8 points and won MVP. And just like in Game 1, he hit a game-tying shot in the fourth quarter.

Not only did Brown hit the shot that tied the game, he assisted on the Derrick White three-pointer that won the game. On the possession before that, Brown blocked a Nembhard layup to keep the game tied.

Does Brown still have an issue with turnovers? Perhaps. He turned it over nine times in the four-game series. But he also had eight steals, and that more than counters a few bad passes and blown dribbles.

Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday | 17 points, nine rebounds

Whenever the Celtics needed a big play, Jrue Holiday was there. He grabbed an offensive rebound with seconds to go to seal the victory. With four minutes left, Holiday converted a three-point play to get Boston within two points.

Holiday has been an incredible addition to the Celtics, joining the team just before the season after a whirlwind week that saw him get traded from Milwaukee to Portland and then to Boston.    

All he did was seamlessly join the NBA’s top team, make the All-Defensive team and sublimate his offensive game to his teammates. His scoring dropped to 12.4 points per game but his efficiency wildly improved, with shooting splits of 48/40/94.

He showed that with 28 points in Game 1, keeping the Celtics close enough to steal the opening game. Holiday put up 17 in Game 4 and grabbed nine boards. 

Overall, he shot a stunning 27-of-46 in the series — 58.6 percent. Boston has to feel lucky that the Bucks decided to trade for Damian Lillard because adding Holiday has brought it back to the Finals.

An honorable mention goes to Indiana’s Nembhard, who stepped in as the leader of the Pacers offense in the final two games of the series. 

With Tyrese Haliburton out, he averaged 28 points and 9.5 assists while shooting over 50 percent from the field and three-point range. He got stuffed by Boston’s defense late, but it was an eye-opening performance from the second-year guard.