Jayson Tatum, Celtics Hyped By NBA Fans as Jrue Holiday Keys Win vs. Pacers in ECF G3 | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 25: Jrue Holiday #4 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 25, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

The Boston Celtics overcame an 18-point second-half deficit to defeat the host Indiana Pacers 114-111 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday.

Jayson Tatum posted 36 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for the Celtics, who now lead the Pacers 3-0 in the best-of-seven series. His best play was a behind-the-back pass to Al Horford, who calmly hit a corner three to cut the Pacers' lead to 111-109 with 1:11 left.

NBA @NBA
HORFORD'S 7TH THREE CUTS IT TO 2! Get to ABC for ending of Game 3 ‼️ <a href="">

Jrue Holiday served as the Celtics' late-game hero, however. His three-point play with 39 seconds left put Boston up 112-111 with 39 seconds remaining.

NBA @NBA
CLUTCH AND-1. 😤 Down to the wire on ABC! <a href=""> <a href="">

That gave Boston its first lead since the opening possession of the second quarter.

The Pacers and Celtics then traded empty possessions, but Indiana found itself with a closing chance to take the lead after a Tatum miss with 10 seconds left.

Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard then charged up the court, but Holiday swiped at the ball for a massive steal.

NBA @NBA
JRUE HOLIDAY WITH THE STEAL ‼️ CLAMPS. IN. THE. CLUTCH. BOS up 1 with 1.1 left on ABC <a href="">

Holiday then calmly sank two free throws for a 114-111 lead. Indiana still had one last chance at the tie, but Aaron Nesmith's corner three missed the mark.

The Pacers put forth a tremendous effort despite missing All-NBA Third Team member Tyrese Haliburton (left hamstring soreness).

Andrew Nembhard led Indiana with 32 points and nine assists, while T.J. McConnell added 23 points, nine rebounds and six assists off the bench. Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam pitched in 22 points apiece. That quartet put Indiana up 84-66 with six minutes left in the third.

But Boston finally clamped down on defense, holding Indiana to just 27 points over the final 18 minutes. Tatum also scored 14 points in the final quarter-and-a-half to lead the Celtics, who are one win away from their second Eastern Conference title in three years.

Holiday finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and three steals. Jaylen Brown added 24 points.

Al Horford, who is still starting in place of injured big man Kristaps Porziņģis (right calf strain), hit 7-of-12 threes en route to 23 points and three blocks.

NBA @NBA
The <a href="">@celtics</a> needed all 7 of Al Horford's clutch 3s in the comeback win! 23 PTS | 7 3PM (career high) Boston takes a 3-0 lead in the ECF. <a href="">

For much of this game, the Pacers fed off the home crowd's tremendous energy and looked as if they were playing on roller blades. Their speed and power in the paint (68 points versus the Celtics' 40) made a huge difference.

But the Celtics overcame a brutal start with a tremendous finish capped by Holiday's heroics:

Kristaps Porzingis @kporzee
LFG

Josh Hart @joshhart
Jrue really that guy

Manu Ginobili @manuginobili
Jrue Holiday! 🫶 What a player!

Shea Serrano @SheaSerrano
jrue holiday guarding you with his maximum intensity is like if you were in a straitjacket inside a phone booth filled with concrete inside of a bank vault filled with more concrete

73-9 and THEY LIED @CuffsTheLegend
and that's why Jrue Holiday makes the big bucks 💰💰 <a href="">

Hoop Central @TheHoopCentral
Jayson Tatum is the 1st player in NBA History with at least 36 PTS, 10 REB, 8 AST while having 0 Turnovers in a playoff game, via <a href="">@taylorcsnow</a>. Special. 🔥🔥🔥 <a href="">

brad auerbach @CelticsPost
jayson tatum is not the best player on the celtics he's the best player in the playoffs <a href="">

Bill Simmons @BillSimmons
That's in the running for best Tatum games — loved how he played. <a href="">

Cousin Grizz @AndrewDoxy
Tatum's games just aren't as in your face as other stars. He dominated all game and it doesn't even feel like it. That behind-the-back pass was insane and instantly a career highlight for him considering time and situation

Kevin O'Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
The Celtics showed a ton of poise in that comeback. Incredible win. Big timely plays by everyone. And Tatum was a stud.