INDIANAPOLIS – The Boston Celtics are back in the NBA Finals. Derrick White’s clutch three-pointer with 45 seconds remaining in Game 4 lifted Boston to a 105-102 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night, securing a four-game sweep of the Eastern Conference Finals.
This marks the Celtics’ second Finals appearance in three seasons and their 23rd overall, putting them one step closer to their record-tying 18th championship. The Los Angeles Lakers currently share the honor of most NBA titles with 17.
Despite the sweep, the Pacers proved to be far from an easy opponent. Three of the four games were nail-biters, decided by a mere five points or less. Indiana even led by nine points in the final quarter of Game 4. However, a valiant Celtics defense shut them out for the final 3:33, setting the stage for White’s game-winning heroics. The corner three from the veteran guard silenced the Bankers Life Fieldhouse crowd and sent the Celtics’ bench into a frenzy.
Boston’s victory serves as an indirect form of revenge for their Atlantic Division rivals, the New York Knicks. The Pacers had eliminated the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, leaving the Celtics as the sole Eastern team remaining.
Leading the charge for the Celtics was Jaylen Brown, who topped the scoring chart with 29 points. Jayson Tatum put in a well-rounded double-double performance, contributing 26 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Notably, Boston completed this impressive sweep without the services of former Knicks center Kristaps Porzingis. A calf injury has kept him sidelined for the past ten games.
The Celtics now eagerly await their Western Conference Finals counterpart. The Dallas Mavericks hold the opportunity to mirror Boston’s sweep tonight as they face the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4. Regardless of the Western victor, the Celtics will have home-court advantage for Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals, scheduled for Thursday, June 6th.
This dramatic Eastern Conference Finals series has showcased the Celtics’ resilience and ability to perform under pressure. With a healthy roster and a taste for victory, Boston appears ready to challenge for another championship title.
