Boston Celtics Game 2s Losing Streak Ends vs. Indiana Pacers

The Boston Celtics have had a troubling trend develop during the 2024 NBA Playoffs. They have struggled to perform in Game 2 of their previous series, losing both that they played to the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers. Would the trend continue against the Indiana Pacers?

In both of those losses, they were bombarded with 3-pointers by their opponent. The Heat and Cavaliers both made 20+ 3-pointers. After a solid performance in Game 1 by the Indiana Pacers, fans were certainly a little on edge given their propensity to explode offensively.

On Thursday night, the Boston Celtics were able to stop that trend. They handled business from the second quarter on, winning 126-110 to take a commanding 2-0 series lead. The Indiana Pacers led at the end of the first quarter 27-25 but were outscored by 18 the rest of the game.

Leading the way for Boston was Jaylen Brown. He scored a game-high 40 points, carrying over the momentum from Game 1. His 3-pointer in the waning seconds of regulation sent the game to overtime, where the Celtics took control and stole Game 1.

Brown may have had a little extra motivation going into the game. Prior to tip-off, the All-NBA teams were announced. Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton edged him out for a spot on the Third Team and he showed voters why they got that wrong.

No theatrics of that kind were needed on Thursday. Four other Boston Celtics players scored in double-figures, as they can get whatever they want on offense against this Pacers squad. Overall, they shot 53.4 percent from the field and 40.5 percent from 3-point range.

Injuries will be a major takeaway from Game 2 as well. Haliburton left the game early with a hamstring issue, the same hamstring he injured back in January. The Celtics lost big man Luke Kornet in the first quarter to a left wrist sprain.

Boston was already shorthanded in the frontcourt with Kristaps Porzingis sidelined. With Kornet going down, head coach Joe Mazzulla went smaller whenever Al Horford wasn’t on the court, with Oshae Brissett taking Kornet’s rotation spot. Jayson Tatum even played some center, a move possible against an Indiana Pacers team that is so perimeter-orientated.