Celtics punch ticket back to NBA Finals after sweeping Pacers in ECFÂ
The Boston Celtics could be on a collision course with Kyrie Irving and the Mavericks in the NBA Finals.
For the second time in three seasons, the Boston Celtics are heading to the NBA Finals.
Boston punched its ticket back to the NBA’s championship round on Monday after completing a four-game sweep against the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
After completing an 18-point comeback in Game 3 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Boston reeled off a 15-4 run to take down the Pacers in Game 4, 105-102.
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum led the way with 29 and 26 points, respectively. Derrick White broke a 102-102 stalemate with a clutch 3-pointer with 45 seconds to go in regulation, while also adding three blocks and five steals.
According to NBC Sports Boston’s Dick Lipe, White is just the third Celtics player to record at least three blocks and four steals in a playoff game — joining Paul Pierce (2002) and Glen Davis (2009).
Boston has carved a swath through the Eastern Conference on its road back to the championship stage, needing just 14 games to best the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Pacers.
Even with Kristaps Porzingis ruled out for the last 10 games due to a calf injury, the Celtics have won seven straight contests this postseason ever since dropping Game 2 to Cleveland at TD Garden — way back on May 9.
The Celtics have benefited from injuries hampering several other contenders in the East like the Bucks and Knicks, but Joe Mazzulla’s roster has made the most of the path it carved out for itself as the top seed in this entire playoff field.
Their fourth opponent during this playoff run figures to be Boston’s most daunting opponent yet — with the writing on the wall that the Celtics will battle Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks with a championship on the line.
Much like Boston entering Monday, the Mavericks currently hold a commanding 3-0 series edge over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals — with a potential Game 4 clinch set for Tuesday night in Dallas.
There will be no shortage of intriguing narratives if the Celtics and Mavs clash on basketball’s highest stage — with Irving’s reputation as persona non grata on Causeway Street likely leading to fireworks on the parquet floor.
Add in Luka Doncic’s first trip to the Finals, Porzingis battling his former team in Dallas, and Tatum and Brown’s latest shot at a ring — and the 2024 NBA Finals should create some riveting storylines.
The Celtics will have plenty of time to rest before returning to the court, as Game 1 of the NBA Finals will not begin until Thursday, June 6 at TD Garden.
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