Jaylen Brown kept the Celtics alive, and Jayson Tatum finished the Pacers off in overtime. Here’s how it unfolded. - The Boston Globe (2024)

Jaylen Brown breaks down his remarkable shot — 12:10 a.m.

By Amin Touri

Here’s what Jaylen Brown had to say about his remarkable 3 at the end of the fourth quarter, his teammates, and Game 1.

• ”It was just a good momentum play that we were able to turn them over and get an extra possession, and that led to a great draw-up, Jrue made a great pass, D White set a good screen, and the rest was history.”
• “I didn’t feel like I took a lot of threes, I only took four threes, and for the most part I was just trying to get to the paint. But, down 3, we needed a big shot, and a big play to extend the game.”
• ”Jrue was fantastic. Jrue was exceptional, he came out and balled, he’s the reason we won this game. He was poised, took advantage of his matchup, he was elite. And that’s a lot, picking up Haliburton, chasing him around, that was special from Jrue Holiday.”
• “Before the inbound I was just talking to myself, if I get this shot, it’s going in. I was telling myself the whole time, if you get it, it’s going up, and it’s going in. I happened to create some space on that backside and was able to make a big time play. But we’ve got to be able to move on, channel our emotions, and get ready for Game 2.”
• “Welcome to the NBA Playoffs. You’ve just got to manage the emotions in the game, anything can happen. The game isn’t over until the final whistle, the final buzzer sounds, and that was a good example of that. We were able to turn them over at the end, the one with [Tyler] Haliburton at the sideline, I was able to get the deflection off [Pascal] Siakam, and it’s not over until it’s over. We were able to find a way to win this game at the very end.”

Jrue Holiday on his big game — 11:35 p.m.

By Amin Touri

Jrue Holiday had what Adam Himmelsbach called his “finest game as a Celtic,” tallying 28 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds. Here’s what he had to say after Game 1.

On Jaylen Brown’s game-saving shot: “I saw Jaylen wide open. Sometimes, plays like that, it’s hard to see both sides. I saw one side, and Jaylen was wide open and I just had to lead him to the corner. It’s a great shot, he pretty much did everything.”

On the vibe of the game overall: “It definitely was a battle, and we know what type of team they are, they’re never going to give up. I think just trying to be as consistent as possible, on the boards, stop them in transition, they move the ball so well especially off the rebound that it gets tough, but one thing we’re going to have to go back and look at is transition defense.

“I think we always knew that there’s always a chance. We’ve seen crazy stuff happen all the time, so I don’t think we lose the game until we actually lose the game, and that’s why we’re so resilient ... anything can happen. We’re just the type of team that’s going to keep on fighting, no matter how long or what it takes.”

On how to limit turnovers (the Celtics had 15) and mistakes: “A lot of it is concentration. Making the right plays, we know they’re going to play fast and they’re going to be very physical, but we are too. Make the right plays, make the right passes and execute from there. Being aggressive and finishing your food at the rim with layups will slow them down because they have to take the ball out of the basket.”

On playing in another close game: “I think we always knew we could, close games have never bothered us and we’ve always stayed poised, whether it’s a win or a loss we always gave ourselves a chance. Today, down 3, a few seconds left, making some big shots and big plays ... we knew we had it in us.”

Joe Mazzulla talks postgame: Read the highlights — 11:25 p.m.

By Amin Touri

Joe Mazzulla took to the podium for his postgame press conference. The highlights:

Jrue Holiday (28 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists) had a big night: “Jrue’s the kind of guy that’s going to impact the game in different ways every night. Tonight it was his scoring, his playmaking, and his defense, a well-rounded game by him. His poise, his demeanor throughout the game was instrumental for us.”

On the level of play: “Nothing different from what I expected. Two high-level teams competing for a great opportunity. I expect all games to be like that, and for our guys, obviously we weren’t perfect, but we maintained a level of poise and mental toughness.”

On pace of the game: “I think you have to find that balance. There’s parts that we had playing with pace, playing fast, so there’s that balance. I thought we handled it well int he first half, in the second half, you have to pick and choose your spots. For the most part, I thought we played with poise. Just going to have to find that balance — there are times where you’re going to have to play fast with them, and times where you’re going to have to execute.”

Tatum finished plus-20 on the night. How did he do it? “I think the other guys played a part in that as well. But for the most part I thought his shot selection was good, his ability to handle and screen got us open looks, and for the most part he competed defensively.”

Adam Himmelsbach | Instant Analysis

Jaylen Brown saves the day, and other observations — 11:05 p.m.

On Monday, Celtics forward Jaylen Brown was asked how his team would respond when the Pacers’ high-powered offense found a rhythm in these Eastern Conference finals. Brown said that some hot streaks would be inevitable, but that Boston would have to work to ensure that the issue did not snowball.

In Game 1 on Tuesday night, the Pacers started the game by missing six shots in a row, but made just about everything after that. And they were on the verge of sending the Celtics to a stunning home loss to open this series when they had the ball and a three-point lead with just 8.5 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

But after the Pacers threw away an inbounds pass, Brown, who had not made a 3-pointer all night, lined one up from the left corner and drilled it with 5.7 seconds left, helping send the game to overtime, where Boston rode its momentum to a 133-128 win.

Jayson Tatum had a rough fourth quarter and start to overtime before pouring in eight points in the final 2:27 of the extra session to finish with 36 points and 12 rebounds. Brown had 26 points and three of them will be remembered for years to come. Jrue Holiday had his finest game as a Celtic, tallying 28 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds.

Tyrese Haliburton had 25 points and 10 assists to lead Indiana, which shot 53.5 percent from the field.

The Celtics coughed up a 12-point first half lead, stormed back to take a 13-point third-quarter advantage, only to lose that, too. Pascal Siakam hit a mid-range jumper before coming up with a steal and dunk that gave Indiana a 108-104-lead with 4:33 to play in the fourth.

Every time the Celtics hit a potentially momentum-swinging shot over the next few minutes, the Pacers had an answer. Two free throws by Brown pulled the Celtics within 115-114 with 57 seconds left, but Andrew Nembhard answered at the with a tough 19-footer after Al Horford switched onto him, a trend down the stretch.

After a timeout, Tatum lined up a wide-open 3-pointer but it was off. Haliburton dribbled upcourt and somehow simply coughed up the ball despite no defender even bothering him. But Boston was unable to capitalize. Derrick White drove and missed a layup, and Tatum’s mid-range putback attempt was off.

The game seemed just about over there, but after Haliburton was fouled, the ensuing inbounds pass was kicked out of bounds, giving Boston one more chance with 8.5 seconds to play. Brown caught the ball in the left corner, faked twice and threw in a dart that tied the score with 5.7 seconds left.

Haliburton struggled to find space for a game-winner and his heave from the right arc at the buzzer never had a chance.

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Celtics win, 133-128 — 11:00 p.m.

Celtics win Game 1, 133-128. What a massive response from both Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum when their team needed them the most. — Ryan

Celtics 127, Pacers 123 | 42.8, OT

Will that be enough for Boston? — 10:50 p.m.

Jayson Tatum sunk just his second three of the game, but it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Boston is up, 127-123. — McInerney

Celtics 124, Pacers 123 | 1:12, OT

Tatum lays it in — 10:49 p.m.

JT is keeping this team alive in Game 1.

He makes up for some bad decisions with an and-1 play. Boston takes a 124-123 lead with 1:12 left. — Ryan

Celtics 121, Pacers 120 | 2:27, OT

Tatum puts the Celtics up — 10:44 p.m.

Tatum sinks two free throws to put Boston up.

Aaron Nesmith has fouled out. MVP chants for Tatum at the free-throw line. — Ryan

Well, that’s awkward — 10:42 p.m.

Watch Jaylen Brown’s shot — 10:39 p.m.

We’ve got overtime — 10:38 p.m.

Tyrese Haliburton missed a last-second attempt to end this game, and we’re getting five more minutes. – McInerney

Jaylen Brown! — 10:36 p.m.

Holy cow. Brown hits an off-balance 3 from the corner to tie it up, 117-117, with 5.7 seconds left in the game. This place is SHAKING. — McInerney

Celtics get the ball back — 10:35 p.m.

Annnnnd the Pacers give it right back to the Celtics. Boston’s ball with 8.5 seconds on the clock. — Ryan

Not what you want when you’re down 3 with 20 seconds to play — 10:33 p.m.

Tatum misses a wiiiiiiiiiide-open 3, Boston is gifted another possession after Nesmith turns the ball over ... and the Celtics miss two shots from White and Tatum.

A brutal sequence for a Celtics offense that has gone stagnant down the stretch. — Ryan

Pacers 115, Celtics 112 | 57.4, 4th quarter

We’re under a minute, and the Cs are down — 10:28 p.m.

Celtics’ shot selection in this fourth quarter has been ... not great. — Ryan

Pacers up 3 with under two minutes to play — 10:24 p.m.

Just as we all expected, right? Al Horford sinks a big 3 with 3:02 to play but Pascal Siakam quickly responds to make it 113-110.

It’s now 115-112 with 1:27 to go. — McInerney

Pacers 108, Celtics 105 | 4:33, 4th quarter

Pacers take a four-point lead — 10:17 p.m.

By Conor Ryan and Katie McInerney

The volume level dropped slightly here at the Garden as Joe Mazzulla called a timeout with his Celtics down, 108-104, with 4:33 to play in the third quarter.

A turnover from Jaylen Brown led to a Pascal Siakam dunk to put the Pacers up. Their biggest lead of the game was five points, early in the third quarter.

Celtics 102, Pacers 101 | 7:54, 4th quarter

Back and forth they go — 10:00 p.m.

By Amin Touri and Conor Ryan

The Celtics and Pacers are just trading baskets now, and the Celtics lead, 102-101, with 7:54 to play. Truly no interior defense being played in this game.

Jayson Tatum is up to a game-high 26 points along with nine rebounds — Touri

Celtics with six missed free throws so far tonight. Meanwhile the Pacers are 2-for-2 on their free throws. — Ryan

Celtics 94, Pacers 93 | End 3rd quarter

After three: Celtics 94, Pacers 93 — 10:00 p.m.

By Amin Touri, Chad Finn, and Conor Ryan

The Pacers have no interested in going away tonight; they’ve clawed back into this one again, cutting the lead to just 4 points after three quarters. The Celtics had seemingly broken the game open with a huge run midway through the quarter, but Indiana stormed right back with a 14-1 run of its own — including another very silly Haliburton 3-pointer at the end of the quarter — to make it a manageable deficit entering the fourth. — Touri

Hauser has been a disaster since coming in for Tatum with 2:38 left in the third. He’s getting cooked by McConnell and just got called for an offensive foul. — Finn

That’s the second absurd buzzer-beater 3-pointer from Haliburton tonight. Boston clinging to a 94-93 lead entering the fourth. — Ryan

Celtics 86, Pacers 75 | 4:50, 3rd quarter

Celtics regaining control — 9:45 p.m.

By Amin Touri, Chad Finn, and Conor Ryan

The Celtics rip off a 12-0 run to push their lead to double-digits for the first time since the 7:10 mark of the second quarter. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been at the heart of it, with Brown bringing the crowd to its feet with an emphatic swat of ex-teammate Aaron Nesmith and a hustle play to win possession for Boston. — Touri

The Aaron Nesmith we’re seeing tonight for the Pacers reminds me of the one who played too fast and frenzied during his time with the Celtics. Tatum just took advantage of his over-aggressiveness and beat him coast-to-coast for a layup and a foul. — Finn

Celtics now in the midst of a 22-6 run. Boston may not be able to slow down Indy’s offense all game, but this recent stretch shows how the Celtics can quickly build a lead against this team — especially when Indy isn’t taking care of the ball. — Ryan

Adam Himmelsbach | Instant analysis

Adam Himmelsbach’s mid-game takeaways: Playoff atmosphere, rotations, and more — 9:35 p.m.

By Adam Himmelsbach

Here are some mid-game takeaways from Globe Celtics beat writer Adam Himelsbach:

• The first two rounds of these playoffs at TD Garden just didn’t feel like the playoffs. It was partly because of the undermanned opponents, partly because the Celtics lost Game 2 both times, and partly because there were few tense moments. But the start on Tuesday felt more like vintage TD Garden. Fans were standing at their seats long before tipoff, and the buzz at the opening tip was palpable. Welcome back, playoffs.
• During the first four minutes Indiana’s nerves seemed to show. The Pacers missed their first six shots, committed a pair of early turnovers, and stumbled around on defense as the Celtics surged to the rim with little trouble. Former Celtic Aaron Nesmith appeared particularly out of sorts. He coughed up both early turnovers, including Tatum’s steal on the first possession that led to a thunderous Brown dunk, and then missed a relatively easy layup and left a wide-open 3-pointer short. The Celtics held a 12-0 lead less than three minutes into the game.
• Coaches generally condense their rotations when the playoffs arrive, but Indiana’s Rick Carlisle continues to roll with his bench groups. Two minutes into the second quarter he had already used 10 players. But the approach is understandable given how productive his second unit has been.
• For most of these playoffs Tatum has played the entire first quarter and started the second before getting a brief break. His sub pattern Tuesday resembled the regular season approach, with brief breaks in each quarter. Tatum appeared to be pressing a bit in the first half, determined to put an early stamp on the game. But that led to a few awkward isolation situations after the Celtics had seized control with such a big start. In the second quarter he missed a fadeaway by about a foot, had a 3-pointer blocked by Isaiah Jackson, and committed an offensive foul when he tried to clear space by pushing off. Like most of the Celtics, he did have success getting to the rim within the flow of the offense, although he missed both of his first-half 3-pointers.
• The Pacers showed in their Game 7 win over the Knicks on Sunday that their offense remains flammable. After their 0 for 6 start, Indiana closed the half by making 27 of 40 shots (67.5 percent), including 8 of 15 3-pointers.
• Myles Turner was dominant. The Pacers big man had his way inside and out, with 18 first-half points on 7 of 10 shooting, along with four assists. The Celtics did not really miss Kristaps Porzingis against the Cavaliers, but this was a situation where his rim protection would have been valuable. The Pacers mostly ignored backup center Luke Kornet at both ends of the floor in the first half.

Indiana takes first lead, but Boston fires right back — 9:30 p.m.

By Amin Touri and Chad Finn

The Pacers scored the first 5 points of the second half to take their first lead of the game, but the Celtics came right back with a quick 7-0 run to force a timeout from Rick Carlisle. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum each lay one in — no interior defense being played in this series! — Touri

Just when the Pacers build some momentum (and a 69-64 lead), the Celtics tear off 7 points in 40 seconds to retake the lead at 71-69 and force a Pacers timeout. — Finn

Halftime takeaways

Celtics 64, Pacers 64: Five takeaways at halftime — 9:20 p.m.

By Amin Touri

• The Celtics are absolutely launching from deep through the first half of Game 1, and it hasn’t really worked out: Boston is shooting 7 of 22 from 3-point range, with Al Horford (1 of 7) in particular struggling. It’s especially inefficient with the Celtics shooting 18 of of 26 (69.2 percent) on 2-pointers, plus a 7 of 8 mark from the line.
• Jaylen Brown has taken that trend especially to heart, only pulling up from deep once — he’s 7 of 11 for 14 points inside.
• Boston only has five turnovers at halftime, but they’ve been some especially bad giveaways. Nearly all of them have come on errant cross-court passes, with three picked off and two sailing out of bounds (one of them straight at Patriots QB Drake Maye sitting courtside).
• The Pacers have created some very easy shots with their ball movement. Indiana has assisted on 22 of its 27 field goals thus far, with few exceptions like Tyrese Haliburton’s long-range bomb to finish off the half. Haliburton, Myles Turner, Pascal Siakam, and Andrew Nembhard each have at least four assists already.
• It’s been too easy for Turner to score inside. The Celtics don’t seem to have an answer for him as a rim-runner, rolling out the red carpet for him to fly down the lane for an easy dunk a few too many times.

Celtics 64, Pacers 64 | Halftime

Halftime: We’re all tied up — 9:10 p.m.

By Amin Touri

It’s halftime here at TD Garden, and the Pacers have climbed back into it. Tyrese Haliburton hits a 3-pointer from Back Bay with 1.8 seconds left in the half, and its Celtics 64, Pacers 64 after 24 minutes in Game 1.

Celtics dominating inside — 9:03 p.m.

By Chad Finn

The Celtics are shooting 16 of 21 from 2. Getting pretty much any shot they want.

Al Horford is 1 of 6 from 3. Cavs were content to leave him open and paid in Game 5 in the last round. Wonder if Pacers coach Rick Carlisle is doing it by design.

Big Papi’s in the building — 8:55 p.m.

By Conor Ryan

Is there anyone this city loves more than Big Papi?

Celtics 47, Pacers 37 | 8:01, 2nd quarter

Celtics restore double-digit lead — 8:51 p.m.

Jrue Holiday lays one in, and Rick Carlisle wants a timeout with the Celtics leading, 47-37, and 8:01 to go in the second. Jaylen Brown leads all scorers with 12 points — Boston is shooting 57.6 percent from the field. — Touri

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle noted ahead of today’s game that the Celtics “are almost impossible to match up with”. Not sure he had that iso move from Horford on the scouting tape.

Pritchard vs. McConnell will be fun to follow in this series. Pritchard already with 8 points off the bench. — Ryan

Celtics 34, Pacers 31 | End 1st quarter

After one: Celtics 34, Pacers 31 — 8:39 p.m.

By Conor Ryan

End of the first: Celtics hold a 34-31 lead over the Pacers. Boston opens the game on a 12-0 run, but it was all but inevitable that Indy’s offense was going to catch fire. The points should be there for Boston, but they need to start making stops (throwing the ball into traffic is also not advisable).

Celtics sharing the ball — 8:38 p.m.

By Conor Ryan

Ten assists for the Celtics on their first 12 made field goals. Boston is getting its chances against Indy’s defense — as many expected. The challenge is slowing down the Pacers’ high-octane offense, which can erase deficits in short order.

Celtics 29, Pacers 20 | 2:44, 1st quarter

Jayson Tatum attacking early — 8:34 p.m.

By Amin Touri

Jayson Tatum is determined to do the bulk of his work inside tonight — he’s got 8 points, all in the paint or at the free-throw line, as the Celtics lead, 29-20, with 2:44 to play in the first quarter.

Celtics open on a huge run — 8:21 p.m.

By Conor Ryan

Al Horford sinks a 3-pointer and the Pacers call a timeout. Boston opens the game on a 12-0 run. Celtics getting several quality looks from 3-point range against this Pacers defense.

Joe Mazzulla challenges early, and it pays off — 8:17 p.m.

Joe Mazzulla wasted no time using his challenge, disputing a goaltending call on Al Horford just 35 seconds in. He was right — the call was overturned, wiping the Pacers’ first 2 points off the board with Boston retaining possession. — Amin Touri

That’s one way to start. Tatum intercepts a bad pass from Nesmith, and Jaylen Brown throws down a thunderous dunk for the first points of the game. An already juiced-up crowd loses it.

A challenge 35 seconds into Game 1 is something we all predicted, right? — Conor Ryan

We’re underway for Game 1 — 8:14 p.m.

By Amin Touri

The Pacers control the tip, and we’re underway for Game 1 here at TD Garden. Follow along with us throughout the evening for live updates, commentary, and analysis from the Globe staff.

Jayson Tatum threw down a huge dunk in the opening seconds — the crowd is electric already.

The scene inside TD Garden — 8:10 p.m.

By Conor Ryan

A few notes from inside the Garden ...

• The TD Garden hype video features several clips on Heat, Cavaliers, Knicks, and Pacers fans chanting “We Want Boston.” Be careful what you wish for, it seems.
• Celtics fans DON’T like Aaron Nesmith, apparently. Plenty of boos as the Pacers are introduced

Celtics’ Derrick White reps PWHL Boston ahead of Game 2 — 8:00 p.m.

By Conor Ryan

Celtics guard Derrick White and his teammates are focused on taking down the Pacers and punching their ticket back to the NBA Finals this week.

But ahead of the Celtics’ Game 1 matchup against the Pacers on Tuesday night, White made sure to pay tribute to another Boston team competing for a title in PWHL Boston.

During his walk through the TD Garden tunnel on his way to Boston’s locker room, White sported a PWHL Boston sweater — featuring captain Hilary Knight’s name and number across the back.

PWHL Boston took note of White’s wardrobe shout-out, thanking him via X.

PWHL Boston will have plenty on the line Tuesday night at Lowell’s Tsongas Center, as the team plays PWHL Minnesota in Game 2 of the best-of-five Walter Cup Finals.

Drake Maye is in the house — 7:45 p.m.

By Amin Touri

We love a Boston sports crossover — Patriots top draft pick Drake Maye continued his playoff tour Tuesday, as New England’s new QB met up with Celtics star Jayson Tatum ahead of Game 1.

Maye will be sitting courtside for the series opener. He also attended a Bruins playoff game earlier this month with fellow Patriots pick Ja’Lynn Polk.

Holiday, White earn All-Defensive honors — 7:30 p.m.

By Adam Himmelsbach

Celtics guard Jrue Holiday and Derrick White on Tuesday were named to the NBA’s All-Defensive second team.

It’s the second consecutive honor for White, who received 15 first-place votes and 68 second-place votes from the 99-member media panel, and it’s the sixth career All-Defense honor for Holiday, who received six first-place votes and 24 second-place votes.

”Effort and versatility,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said when asked about their impact. “They have the ability to guard different guys in pick-and-roll coverages, pick-and-roll isolation, off-ball screens. They’re just two versatile guys you can put on different matchups and different schemes with them and different lineup flexibility.”

Celtics forward Jaylen Brown received three first-place votes and one second, and Jayson Tatum received two second-place votes.

”Listen, [White and Holiday] got the vote, but one of the things that’s been great this year is all the guys’ ability to defend at a high, high level,” Mazzulla said. “So everybody that’s out there takes their matchup personally.”

In previous seasons, the All-Defensive teams included two guards, two forwards and one center. This year, for the first time, there were no positional requirements, and all five members of the first team were frontcourt players, including Minnesota center Rudy Gobert, Miami forward Bam Adebayo, San Antonio center Victor Wembanyama, New Orleans forward Herb Jones, and Lakers center Anthony Davis.

White and Holiday finished third and fifth, respectively, in voting among guards.

“Those two guys, night in and night out, they guard different guys, they have different matchups and coverages,” Mazzulla said. “So the way they impact the game defensively has been great.”

This isn’t the Celtics and Pacers’ first playoff matchup — 7:20 p.m.

By Adam Himmelsbach

The Eastern Conference finals are actually the second playoff matchup between the Celtics and Pacers this season. On Dec. 4, Indiana defeated Boston, 122-112, in the quarterfinals of the inaugural In-Season Tournament.

Although the conference finals stage is considerably bigger, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said he believes his young team will benefit from its In-Season Tournament run, which ended with a title game loss to the Lakers.

”Those experiences help, for sure,” Carlisle said. “There were some real playoff simulations. Our quarterfinal game at home on a Monday night against [the Celtics] had the feel of a conference finals matchup atmosphere…There was certainly the exposure, the stage, all that.

“So, all of those experiences help a young team.”

Still, Carlisle knows the top-seeded Celtics will pose a significant challenge.

”These guys have been the favorite all year to win the whole thing,” he said. “They ran away with the Eastern Conference. They’ve been dominant, so it’s a big task. That’s clear. So we’ve just got to try to make it as hard as possible on them.”

The Pacers’ awful defense, and other matchup thoughts — 7:10 p.m.

By Adam Himmelsbach

The dreams of a thrilling Celtics vs. Knicks matchup in the Eastern Conference finals crumbled Sunday evening when the sixth-seeded Pacers throttled New York in Game 7 of their series at Madison Square Garden, 130-109.

In the coming days the Celtics will smartly talk about all the ways that Indiana can create problems for them. But the truth is the Pacers reached this point by sliding past the Bucks and Knicks, teams whose rosters were absolutely decimated by injuries.

Now, the path is cleared for the Celtics to reach the NBA Finals without facing Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jimmy Butler, Jalen Brunson, Damian Lillard, or Tyrese Maxey.

Here are some keys to the series.

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Game 1 preview — 7:00 p.m.

By Emma Healy

The road to banner No. 18 continues for the Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals on Tuesday.

Standing in Boston’s way is a ferocious Indiana team, which reached the Eastern Conference finals by beating the Knicks, 130-109, in Game 7 on Sunday as the Pacers shot an NBA playoff record 67.1 percent from the field.

The Pacers and Celtics represent two of the most potent offenses in the league, as the Pacers led the NBA in scoring during the regular season, and Boston came in second in that category.

Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. from the Garden. Here’s your preview.

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When will Kristaps Porzingis return? — 6:45 p.m.

By Adam Himmelsbach

Some clues about Kristaps Porzingis’s progress have been revealed when the team’s workouts have been opened to the media. He was initially seen doing standstill shooting while putting little weight on his right leg. Then last Monday he did a more substantial shooting workout before Game 4 of the Celtics’ semifinal matchup against the Cavaliers.

Since then, though, public viewings have mostly consisted of work on the exercise bike and playful halfcourt shots. Forward Jaylen Brown said Porzingis has remained engaged in the team’s preparations, and that his presence has been noticeable.

”KP’s been great,” Brown said. “Still been very active at every practice, making sure he’s still involved at every team huddle and just staying in the mix mentally, even though physically he’s not really fully there yet. Mentally, he’s still been engaged and that’s a great sign. When his body catches up to full health, we’ll be ready to rock and roll.”

The Celtics would be substantial favorites even if Porzingis never takes the floor in this series. Also, rushing back could make Porzingis more susceptible to aggravating the injury. So it is likely the Celtics will err on the side of extreme caution before welcoming back their big man.

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Gary Washburn | On Basketball

Can the Celtics avoid beating themselves? — 6:30 p.m.

The Celtics are favored to win the title. But can they avoid beating themselves? — 6:00 p.m.With the defending champion Denver Nuggets eliminated from the playoffs, the Celtics enter the Final Four as the favorite to win their first NBA championship in 16 years. At least that’s what they are hearing.

The Celtics have said little this postseason about their expectations, as they have focused on the next game, the next series. They were able to topple the shorthanded Heat, a rival and Achilles’ heel for a decade, and then the Cavaliers in five games.And the perception is they’ve yet to be tested. The Pacers should provide more resistance than the previous two opponents but the Celtics should win this series with ease if they play to their capabilities.

But they enter this round with considerable pressure. Anything short of a championship would be a disappointment. There is also a level of distrust in the Celtics because of their propensity for letting down against lesser opponents.

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Amin Touri can be reached at amin.touri@globe.com. Adam Himmelsbach can be reached at adam.himmelsbach@globe.com. Follow him @adamhimmelsbach. Chad Finn can be reached at chad.finn@globe.com. Follow him @GlobeChadFinn. Conor Ryan can be reached at conor.ryan@globe.com. Katie McInerney can be reached at katie.mcinerney@globe.com. Follow her @k8tmac.