“I watch guys get praised and anointed who I feel like are half as talented as me on either side of the ball, but at this point in my life, I just embrace it. It comes with being who I am and what I stand for, and I ain’t really changing that. So I just come out and I’m grateful to step out onto the floor each and every night, put my best foot forward and get better each and every year. Whether people appreciate it or not, it is what it is.”
So said Jaylen Brown when asked about his all-NBA snub. When asked about it after Game B, Jaylen said “We’re two games from the Finals, so honestly, I don’t have the time to give a fuck.” I doubt that’s really true, but I certainly have time to give a fuck and hope that he continues to demonstrate how absurd it was to leave him off. During the Cleveland series he boasted that no one on the Cavs could guard him, and while that was true, it’s probably true for almost any team. Indy doesn’t have a good defense, but bad D can’t alone explain JB’s performance on Thursday: he was simply other-worldly, and it was especially critical on a night where Tatum didn’t really have his A game.
I’ve only been to Indianapolis once, and it was to spend more than I could really afford at the time to see Eli Manning and Mario Motherfucking Manningham defeat the Pats in SB XLVI. So I’ve never really liked Indy, and I’d prefer to rebrand it in my mind as the city where the Celtics curb stomped their way to the Finals. We’re undefeated on the road this playoffs, but Indy is undefeated at home—something has to give tonight, and I’ve decided it will be the Pacers’ streak to end.
Game B’s bench production was a substantial improvement over game one, and we’re going to need them to be even better—Indy isn’t just perfect at home this playoffs, they haven’t lost at home since March 18. With KP still out and Kornet doubtful tonight, I’d like to see more Tillman than we have and more contributions from Oshae. If we can get JT cooking alongside JB and a bench that can take over when the starters need to rest, Indiana doesn’t stand a chance.
Injuries
BOS - Kristaps Porziņģis (OUT - calf), Luke Kornet (DOUBTFUL - wrist)
IND - Tyrese Haliburton (QUESTIONABLE - hamstring), Bennedict Mathurin (OUT - shoulder)
Logistics
8:30p EDT tip at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. ABC/98.5 FM/SiriusXM 212 (Celtics), 86 (Pacers), 80 (National).
WIN.
So said Jaylen Brown when asked about his all-NBA snub. When asked about it after Game B, Jaylen said “We’re two games from the Finals, so honestly, I don’t have the time to give a fuck.” I doubt that’s really true, but I certainly have time to give a fuck and hope that he continues to demonstrate how absurd it was to leave him off. During the Cleveland series he boasted that no one on the Cavs could guard him, and while that was true, it’s probably true for almost any team. Indy doesn’t have a good defense, but bad D can’t alone explain JB’s performance on Thursday: he was simply other-worldly, and it was especially critical on a night where Tatum didn’t really have his A game.
I’ve only been to Indianapolis once, and it was to spend more than I could really afford at the time to see Eli Manning and Mario Motherfucking Manningham defeat the Pats in SB XLVI. So I’ve never really liked Indy, and I’d prefer to rebrand it in my mind as the city where the Celtics curb stomped their way to the Finals. We’re undefeated on the road this playoffs, but Indy is undefeated at home—something has to give tonight, and I’ve decided it will be the Pacers’ streak to end.
Game B’s bench production was a substantial improvement over game one, and we’re going to need them to be even better—Indy isn’t just perfect at home this playoffs, they haven’t lost at home since March 18. With KP still out and Kornet doubtful tonight, I’d like to see more Tillman than we have and more contributions from Oshae. If we can get JT cooking alongside JB and a bench that can take over when the starters need to rest, Indiana doesn’t stand a chance.
Injuries
BOS - Kristaps Porziņģis (OUT - calf), Luke Kornet (DOUBTFUL - wrist)
IND - Tyrese Haliburton (QUESTIONABLE - hamstring), Bennedict Mathurin (OUT - shoulder)
Logistics
8:30p EDT tip at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. ABC/98.5 FM/SiriusXM 212 (Celtics), 86 (Pacers), 80 (National).
WIN.
