Jaylen Brown scores 40 as Celtics
take 2-0 series lead vs. Pacers
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[May 24, 2024]
Jaylen Brown scored a game-high 40 points to lead the Boston
Celtics to a 126-110 victory over the visiting Indiana Pacers on
Thursday in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Brown was 14 of 27 from the floor and made 8 of 11 free throws. He
added five rebounds. Boston had a 13-point lead after three quarters
and the Pacers were never closer than 11 points in the fourth.
The victory gave Boston a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series,
which will shift to Indianapolis for Game 3 on Saturday. The Celtics
won Game 1 133-128 in overtime.
"I think we adjusted a little bit better in Game 2," Brown said. "I
still think we can play a little better, so we're looking forward to
doing that in Game 3."
The Pacers are unsure whether point guard Tyrese Haliburton will be
available for that game. He left with left hamstring soreness in the
third quarter Thursday. He collected 10 points and eight assists in
28 minutes. He missed 10 games in January with a left hamstring
strain.
"Losing Ty for the game obviously is a big blow," Indiana coach Rick
Carlisle said. "We'll know more (Friday) and even more Saturday. ...
I know you want details. I don't have much."
Pascal Siakam made 13 of 17 field-goal attempts and led the Pacers
with 28 points. Andrew Nembhard added 16 points for Indiana.
Jayson Tatum and Derrick White each scored 23 points for the
Celtics. Al Horford had six points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
Brown led all first-half scorers with 24 points. Boston trailed
27-25 after one quarter but held a 57-51 halftime lead.
Boston surged in front thanks to a 20-0 run. The Celtics scored the
final three points in the first quarter and the first 17 points in
the second quarter to take a 42-27 lead. Indiana didn't score in the
second quarter until Aaron Nesmith made two free throws with 6:45
remaining in the quarter.
Indiana was within two points, 68-66, after Siakam's 3-pointer with
7:55 remaining in the third, but Boston had a 93-80 advantage
entering the final 12 minutes.
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![](../images/052424PIX/sports16.jpg)
May 23, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Al
Horford (42) and forward Jayson Tatum (0) work for the ball against
Indiana Pacers forward Isaiah Jackson (22) in the second half during
game two of the eastern conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs
at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
![](../images/ads/current/graue_lda_4_2021.png)
The Pacers have a 6-0 home record in the playoffs
this season. The Celtics are 4-0 on the road.
Indiana also lost the first two games against the New York Knicks in
the conference semifinals and then won that series in seven games.
"The only thing we should be thinking about is they were down 2-0 a
series ago and they brought it to Game 7 and they do a great job
protecting their home court," Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said.
"They're undefeated at home, so it's going to take a lot more than
confidence to get the job done, and we have to focus on the details
and the execution. ... I know they're going to respond, so it's up
to us to do the same."
The Celtics' Luke Kornet left the game in the first quarter with a
sprained left wrist and did not return to the court.
Boston center Kristaps Porzingis missed his eighth straight game
with a calf strain.
--Field Level Media
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