Celtics dominate Pacers in Game 2, take 2-0 ECF lead

Trailing Indiana by a basket after one quarter, the Celtics went on two long runs to take the lead and withstand several responses by the Pacers down the stretch in a 126-110 victory. 

While star Jayson Tatum came alive late, he struggled most of the night, finishing with 23 points (9-of-20). But Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and the Celtics' supporting cast picked up the slack on both ends of the floor. 

Along with superb defensive play, Brown and White also carried the offensive load. White recorded 23 points (8-of-15) and hit 4 of 8 attempts from three. Meanwhile, Brown led the charge, fittingly, after being snubbed from the All-NBA list. 

Brown took out his aggression on the Pacers, scoring 40 points (14-of-27), including four three-pointers (4-of-10). Several times in Game 2, Brown responded when the Celtics needed him most, either with a huge shot or an outstanding defensive play. 

The Pacers' defense was one of the most significant question marks heading into the conference finals against the well-rounded Celtics. In Game 2, the discrepancy showed. 

Boston routinely targeted their star, Tyrese Haliburton, who looked lost or unmotivated most of the night on defense. 

Haliburton finished with only 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting, adding eight assists and four rebounds, so his lackluster defense seemingly bled into his offensive game. He left the contest four minutes into the fourth quarter with left leg soreness. Adrian Wojnarowski says it's a hamstring injury, the same ailment that forced Haliburton to miss 10 games this season. 

The Pacers as a team allowed the Celtics to shoot 53.4 percent (47-of-88) from the field and 40.5 percent (15-of-37) from beyond the arc.  

Likewise, only Pascal Siakem (28 points) stood out despite the Pacers shooting 52.4 percent from the field. 

Meanwhile, trailing by 14 after three quarters, the Pacers curiously seemed to wave the white flag, with head coach Rick Carlisle opting to play mostly bench players in the fourth. Siakam played two minutes in the final stanza while Turner sat for the entire quarter.

The Celtics bucked one trend on Thursday, winning a Game 2 for the first time this postseason. But they haven't lost on the road (4-0), and the Pacers haven't lost at home (6-0) during the playoffs, so one team will break another trend in Game 3. 

The conference finals could easily be even at 1-1 heading to Indiana. But after some good fortune and a strong follow-up effort on Thursday, the Celtics are only two wins away from playing for the Larry O'Brien Trophy.