FINAL: Indiana Pacers lose Game 3 of NBA Eastern Conference finals to Boston Celtics
The Indiana Pacers head back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Game 3 after losing the first two contests to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Eastern Conference finals.
Tyrese Haliburton, who was named third-team All-NBA earlier in the week, will miss tonight's game with left hamstring soreness. Haliburton sat out the fourth quarter of Game 2 with the injury. He also missed 10 games in January and was put on a minutes restriction after that due to a left hamstring strain.
Why no TO? Rick Carlisle explains why he didn't call timeout at end of Game 3 loss
3 observations: Without its star, Pacers let another winnable game slip away in Game 3 loss
Dustin Dopirak will have analysis throughout, and we will have scoring updates, highlights and more. Please remember to refresh.
Final: Pacers lose heartbreaker to Celtics in Game 3
With 1:26 left, Indiana had a 111-106 lead. Al Horford hit a 3 to bring Boston within two points at 1:12. Jrue Holiday scored on a layup and was fouled on the play. He made the free throw. Celtics lead 112-111.
With 7.1 left, Andrew Nembhard grabbed a defensive rebound. However, he turned it over with 3.1 remaining.
Celtics 114, Pacers 111
6:00 left 4Q: Pacers extend lead over Celtics
The Pacers now lead by seven points. Jayson Tatum scored four straight for Boston but Pascal Siakam kept the Celtics at bay with a basket before the timeout.
Pacers 99, Celtics 92
a big-time bucket from T.J. McConnell 👀
he has 18 points off the bench. pic.twitter.com/MtsdmsuNdz— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 26, 2024
8:29 left 4Q: Here come the Celtics
Boston opened up the fourth with a 9-3 run. Al Horford hit a 3 during that span. He is 6 for 10 from long range in this one.
Pacers 93, Celtics 90
Horford's 3 cuts the lead to just 3!
Watch the 4Q of Game 3 on ABC 🍿 pic.twitter.com/FdpDF3sMjx— NBA (@NBA) May 26, 2024
End of 3Q: Celtics pull with nine against Pacers
Boston had a better third quarter and outscored Indiana, 24-21. Doug McDermott put in a basket at the buzzer for the Pacers.
Pacers 90, Celtics 81
Tyrese Haliburton was loving the Pascal Siakam and-one 👏 pic.twitter.com/oS4M3xVR8Q
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 26, 2024
5:12 left 3Q: Pacers have 13-point lead over Celtics
Andrew Nembhard has 23 points and eight assists. Pascal Siakam has 20 points and four assists.
Pacers 84, Celtics 71
Nembhard's season-high for the regular season was 22 points. He's got 23 tonight. Had some big scoring games last year including the 31-point outing against Golden State, but generally has done a lot less shooting and scoring this year.
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) May 26, 2024
7:29 left 3Q: Pacers keep their lead to start second half
Indiana has outscored Boston so far in the third quarter, 11-9.
Pacers 80, Celtics 66
Monster Myles with the slam 😈 pic.twitter.com/daZlI9lBSj
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 26, 2024
Halftime: Pacers hold 12-point lead over Celtics in Game 3
With 2:43 left, Andrew Nembhard hit a 3-pointer to give Indiana a 64-46 advantage. Jru Holiday answered with a 3 of his own. Nembhard leads Indiana at the half with 21 points (3 for 3 from long distance).
Pacers 69, Celtics 57
"Nembhard is a nuisance." 😈
he drains the three. pic.twitter.com/BIALAeU2hv— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 26, 2024
5:08 left 2Q: Pacers continue big second quarter
The Pacers have doubled up the Celtics' second-quarter points (24 to 12). Myles Turner leads Indiana with 15 points and four rebounds.
Pacers 55, Celtics 44
Pacers now 9 of 12 in the second, 22 of 34 in the game.
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) May 26, 2024
7:07 left 2Q: Pacers hold eight-point lead over Celtics
Myles Turner returned and gave the Pacers a 33-32 lead with a basket at 11:50. Derrick White tied things at 33-33 but Turner threw down a dunk at 10:44 to give Indiana a 35-33 advantage. Al Horford hit a 3-pointer at 8:44 to cut Indiana's lead to 39-37. Andrew Nembhard answered with a basket to extend the Pacers lead to four.
Aaron Nesmith and Nembhard scored consecutive baskets for Indiana before the timeout.
Pacers 48, Celtics 40
back in the game & back on the scoresheet.
Pascal Siakam is hot 🌶️ pic.twitter.com/ypopJO5vTS— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 26, 2024
End of 1Q: Celtics lead Pacers by one point
T.J. McConnell hit a jumper to cut Boston's lead to 30-25 at the 2:27 mark. Indiana ended the quarter on an 8-2 run.
Celtics 32, Pacers 31
T.J. McConnell with a laser and Aaron Nesmith finishes with the reverse 👏 pic.twitter.com/62htl1i4zM
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 26, 2024
4:36 left 1Q: Celtics lead Pacers by five points
Jayson Tatum and Al Horford hit consecutive 3-pointers for the Celtics. Even with Boston's hot start, Indiana is right in it. Pascal Siakam has nine points.
Myles Turner is dealing with lower back soreness. He's out of the game for now but the Pacers say he is available to return.
Celtics 24, Pacers 19
Pskills got the moves 😮💨
he splits the defense and gets another bucket. pic.twitter.com/8l6P3ANc9U— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 26, 2024
6:58 left 1Q: Celtics start Game 3 with 18 points
The Celtics started the game on a 8-2 run. Al Horford hit a 3-pointer at 11:12.
Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam scored back-to-back baskets for the Pacers. At the 9:42 mark, Jayson Tatum hit an 18-foot shot. Tatum has eight points already.
Celtics 18, Pacers 13
Make that 8 on 3-3 shooting for JT!
Just minutes into the game on ABC... https://t.co/TA60qeqiXr pic.twitter.com/f0LANle9np— NBA (@NBA) May 26, 2024
Pacers vs. Celtics Game 3 betting line
via BetMGM
Favorite: Celtics by 7.5 points
Over/under: 221.5 total points
Moneyline: Celtics -300, Pacers +240
Pacers vs. Celtics prediction: Who will win Game 3 in NBA playoffs?
What channel is the Pacers game on?
TV: ABC
Radio: 93.5 and 107.5 FM in Indianapolis, with Mark Boyle on play-by-play
Streaming: SiriusXM channel 86
Pacers vs. Celtics schedule in Eastern Conference finals
Tuesday, May 21: Celtics 133, Pacers 128 (OT)
Thursday, May 23: Celtics 126, Pacers 110
Saturday, May 25: at Indiana, 8:30 p.m., ABC
Monday, May 27: at Indiana, 8 p.m., ESPN/ESPN2
Wednesday, May 29: at Boston*, 8 p.m., ESPN
Friday, May 31: at Indiana*, 8 p.m., ESPN
Sunday, June 2: at Boston*, 8 p.m., ESPN
*-if necessary
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers vs. Celtics recap in Game 3 of Eastern Conference finals