Advertisement

Kyrie Irving: There's 'nothing like' delivering for Boston Celtics in the playoffs

Kyrie Irving dropped 37 points while Jayson Tatum hit 26 in the playoff win over the Indiana Pacers.

KYRIE IRVING SCORED 37 points as the Boston Celtics staged a fourth quarter comeback to defeat the Indiana Pacers 99-91 and take a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference NBA playoff series on Wednesday.

NBA: Playoffs-Indiana Pacers at Boston Celtics Boston Celtics star Kyrie Irving. SIPA USA / PA Images SIPA USA / PA Images / PA Images

The Pacers appeared to be closing in on a series-levelling victory after taking an 11-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

But some superb shot-making from Irving and a 26-point display from Jayson Tatum helped Boston outscore the Pacers by 31-12 in the final quarter to seal a roller-coaster win at the Celtics’ TD Garden home.

The win puts the Celtics firmly in control of the best-of-seven series as the two sides head to Indianapolis for game three on Friday.

Irving warned his Celtics team-mates against complacency over the remainder of the series following Wednesday’s win.

“Tonight gives us confidence but anything can happen on the road,” Irving said. “We’ve got to go to Indiana, a tough place to play, and be ready for whatever. It’s going to be a war out there. We understand the type of team we’re playing against. It’s a series for a reason.”

NBA: Playoffs-Indiana Pacers at Boston Celtics Irving drives to the basket against the Pacers. SIPA USA / PA Images SIPA USA / PA Images / PA Images

The 27-year-old point guard said the Celtics never-say-die approach had helped them transform Wednesday’s game into a win.

“It’s just staying resilient, understanding that we’re never out of this game,” Irving said. “It’s the playoffs, anything can happen.

“I tell the guys all the time, we’ve got to stay communicative and do the little things in order to get the win.”

Gordon Hayward had 13 points and five rebounds off the bench as the Celtics punished a disastrous Pacers display in the final period.

Irving, who finished with six rebounds and seven assists in addition to his points tally, said he felt his game-winning represented the end of a “long journey” back from injury.

ESPN / YouTube

The former Cleveland Cavaliers star is playing for the Celtics in the playoffs for the first time in this series, having been ruled out of the postseason with a knee issue in his first year in Boston in 2017-18.

This performance was a long time coming for the 27-year-old and he said there was “nothing like” the feeling of turning it on for Boston.

“It was pretty peaceful. I’m just happy to be able to be part of a lineage of great players that have put on some unbelievable performances here in the TD [Garden] as well as the old Garden.

It’s really special to know that the fans here are rooting us on. They want everything to be perfect – it’s not the reality of the game, but we do our best to go out there and lay it all out there on the line.

“We throw ourselves into the game and hope for some great results. You’ve got to have some honest resolve.

“It felt good, good to be here in this position, playing in this arena. It’s been a long journey from having those two knee surgeries and watching the team last year.

“Now I’m finally getting the chance to lay some up for the Boston Celtics in the NBA playoffs. There’s nothing like it.”

The Pacers shot only four of 17 from the field in the fourth quarter, and coughed up two vital turnovers in the final 15 seconds to gift Boston victory.

Bojan Bogdanovic led the scoring with 23 points for Indiana, with Thaddeus Young (15 points), Darren Collison (13) and Tyreke Evans (13) the other Pacers players to make double figures.

ESPN / YouTube

Elsewhere Wednesday, the Milwaukee Bucks surged into a 2-0 lead in their series against the Detroit Pistons with a crushing 120-99 win in game two. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo led another dominant display from Milwaukee, who saw four players go into double digits against an overpowered Pistons line-up. 

Greek star Antetokounmpo anchored the Bucks win with 26 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. 

Eric Bledsoe added 27 points while Khris Middleton finished with 24 points. Pat Connaughton scored 18 off the bench.

Detroit were effectively shut down, with Luke Kennard top-scoring with 19 points.

Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets lead 2-0 in their series against the Utah Jazz after James Harden scored a 32-point triple-double in last night’s blowout victory.

Wednesday’s results

Boston Celtics 99-91 Indiana Pacers
Milwaukee Bucks 120-99 Detroit Pistons
Houston Rockets 118-98 Utah Jazz

ESPN / YouTube

© – AFP, 2019   

Author
View comments
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
    Favourite Chris Mcdonnell
    Report
    May 18th 2015, 2:32 PM

    Even when on the bench he didn’t get game time. The coach doesn’t like or trust him. Saturday once again showed just how wrong O’connor has been all season

    90
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colin Webber
    Favourite Colin Webber
    Report
    May 18th 2015, 6:24 PM

    O’Connor is just all wrong for Leinster.

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Lawlor
    Favourite Mark Lawlor
    Report
    May 18th 2015, 2:31 PM

    He has a very big chance next season with Leinster during the World Cup, midfield won’t be as competitive so he should get a good run of matches.

    80
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
    Favourite Chris Mcdonnell
    Report
    May 18th 2015, 6:56 PM

    Mark if Darcy doesn’t make the World Cup squad, he’ll play 12 with t’eo at 13. Then Madigan and sexton will be back so the midfield won’t be as easy to get into as you may think

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Davidson
    Favourite David Davidson
    Report
    May 18th 2015, 4:27 PM

    That pop pass from O’Brien

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Irish Underage Rugby
    Favourite Irish Underage Rugby
    Report
    May 18th 2015, 2:54 PM

    Battle between him and Madigan for the 12 jersey next season.

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cian Walker
    Favourite Cian Walker
    Report
    May 19th 2015, 4:02 AM

    It’s always to easy to see who coaches ‘just like/don’t like’. When Gopperth played badly it was ignored whereas when Madigan played mediocre or even if Reid played well decisions went against them.

    It creates such a poisonous culture as some players start to feel entitled to spots and others feel it doesn’t matter how well they play they won’t get picked. Cody and Fergusson were masters at disregarding players identities and judging on match performance alone. MOC is such a stink manager.

    7
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel