Brown had a playoff career-best 40 points in a 126-110 win.
The Boston Celtics are two wins away from the NBA Finals. After needing overtime and some good fortune to pick up a win in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Boston found Thursday night a little more drama free, as Jaylen Brown led his team to a 126-110 victory over the Indiana Pacers at TD Garden.
Boston was able to take a 57-51 lead into the locker room at halftime due to its ability to impose itself on the offensive glass. Being able to hammer Indiana off of your own misses was something we saw frequently during the Pacers’ series against the New York Knicks, and Boston was able to pummel its opponent to the tune of 10 offensive rebounds, 12 second chance points, and 28 points in the paint.
This level of physicality, mixed with a 24-point first half from Brown and a near double-double (10 points, seven assists) from Jrue Holiday, helped the Celtics extend their lead out to as many as 16 points in the first half. This all happened despite a bad half for Jayson Tatum, who had four points on 2-for-8 shooting with three turnovers.
15-0 CELTICS RUN ☘️
Jaylen Brown connects from deep to extend the Celtics’ lead in the 2Q of Game 2 on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/BclH0o1AL8
NBA (@NBA) May 24, 2024
20-0 CELTICS RUN ☘️
The Celtics are rolling in Game 2 of the East Finals on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/2sjC3shzat
— NBA (@NBA) May 24, 2024
Jayson Tatum ➡️ Jrue Holiday ➡️ Jaylen Brown
JB is up to 23 PTS in the 1st half of Game 2 of the East Finals on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/fgMJIQlLEC
— NBA (@NBA) May 24, 2024
While things had the potential to get away from the Pacers before they could regroup themselves at the half, Pascal Siakam had other ideas.
