After a week-long layoff, the Celtics wasted no time getting back to business in Game 1 against the Pacers.
Exciting start to the Eastern Conference Finals
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2024
Tatum comes up with the steal... Brown hammers it home!
Game 1 is underway on ESPN pic.twitter.com/qqTizsKNNM
Jaylen Brown opened up the scoring for Boston with a dunk off a Jayson Tatum steal. Showing no signs of rust after not playing since Wednesday night, the Celtics jumped out to a 12-0 lead, forcing the Pacers to call a timeout.
Boston starts Game 1 of the ECF on a 12-0 run ‼️#NBAConferenceFinals presented by Google Pixel pic.twitter.com/SwPB2P4pYL
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2024
Four different Celtics scored on four of their first five offensive possessions, logging two steals, a blocked shot and an offensive rebound. Tatum was the only Celtic not to score in the run, but he did pass out two assists.
There’s an eternal debate about whether an NBA team is better off getting more rest or staying in rhythm in the playoffs. At least for the first 3:43 of Game 1, the Celtics showed that their rest didn’t lead to any rust.
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