Jayson Tatum, Celtics Hyped By NBA Fans as Jrue Holiday Keys Win vs. Pacers in ECF G3

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

Game 4 will occur on Monday at 8 p.m. in Indianapolis.