Holiday’s Heroic Moment
Jrue Holiday, the Boston Celtics guard, emerged as the hero on the 26th, delivering a crucial victory for the Celtics against the Indiana Pacers. With just 3 seconds remaining, Holiday made a game-saving steal, sealing the Celtics’ come-from-behind win with a score of 114-111 and putting them up 3-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Historical Significance
The Pacers now find themselves on the brink of elimination, as no team in NBA history has ever overcome a 0-3 deficit in a playoff series. This marks the 18th time in Celtics history that they have taken a 3-0 lead in a playoff series. In the previous 17 instances, the Celtics advanced 8 times with a 4-0 sweep, 8 times with a 4-1 series win, and once with a 4-2 victory.
Playing Through Adversity
Holiday’s heroics came amidst adversity, as he nearly missed the game due to illness. However, his determination to compete in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals propelled him to take the court and make a decisive impact.
Contributions from Other Players
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with a stellar performance, scoring 36 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and dishing out 8 assists. Jaylen Brown also contributed with 24 points. Additionally, veteran Al Horford made history by becoming the oldest player to make 7 three-pointers in a single postseason game, finishing with 23 points.
Impact of Missing Players
Despite the absence of star point guard Tyrese Haliburton due to a leg injury, the Indiana Pacers nearly pulled off an upset victory. Domantas Sabonis scored a playoff career-high 32 points, but his missed shot in the final 33 seconds and the crucial turnover to Holiday in the closing seconds proved costly for the Pacers.
Controversial Coaching Decision
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle’s decision not to call a timeout in the final 7 seconds of the game sparked controversy. Instead, he opted to let the players handle the situation on the court. This decision proved costly for the Pacers, as Holiday’s clutch steal sealed their fate and put them on the brink of elimination. (Yaman88)