The Boston Celtics overcame a late-game scare to beat the visiting Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Day 31 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.

The Celtics trailed by five late in the 4th after the Pacers’ furious run in the 4th quarter with some clutch baskets led by 2019 NBA champ Pascal Siakam and young Andrew Nembhard. The Celtics scored on a huge Jrue Holiday basket and got lucky on an Indiana turnover to get the ball back.

It then set up a crazy sequence for Jaylen Brown who hit a contested three-pointer deep in the corner with Siakam all over him to knot the score at 117-117. Tyrese Haliburton had one last shot to try and win the game for the Pacers but could not get a clean look off, sending the game into overtime.

In the extra period, Jayson Tatum took on the scoring cudgels and put the team on his back, pouring in 11 points including a huge three from the top of the key to put the Celtics’ up by five and essentially win the game.

Game 2 will be on Thursday night still at the TD Garden in Boston.

Check out our recap here: