INDIANA — Despite trailing for most of the second half, the Celtics were able to pull out game 3 over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night in the eastern conference finals, 114-111.

37-year-old Al Horford turned back the clock and hit seven three-pointers and finished with 23 points for the C’s. For most of the game, Horford struggled on defense staying in front of Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner. However, he still managed to be effective on the offensive side, especially in the fourth quarter.

The Pacers were without Tyrese Haliburton who suffered a hamstring injury in game 2. Pacers didn’t go down without a fight, Andrew Nembhard led with 32 points, Siakam had 22 points, and Myles Turner had 22 points to go with 10 boards. T.J. McConnell had 23 points for Indiana as well. They had to play perfect to win this game, and the Pacers nearly did. But it was clear that they got tired towards the end and didn’t have the same lift on their shots or drives to the basket.

Jayson Tatum came alive with 36 points and 10 rebounds, he had 20 points in the first half. Jaylen Brown finished with 24 points.

Despite facing a 18-point deficit in the second half, the C’s came storming back when they began turning up the defensive intensity. Jrue Holiday, despite being sick before this game, made the game-winning turnover against Nembhard in transition before knocking down the final two free throws. After the C’s took a three-point lead, Rick Carlisle set up a masterful play to get former Celtics player Aaron Nesmith open in the corner, but he couldn’t make it.

Good or bad win?

Going up 3-0 in a conference series is always a good thing, and it always felt like the Celtics were never completely out the game. C’s shot 34% from deep, while the Pacers only made five 3’s. As a Celtics fan, you got to be happy that they were still able to win three straight games without Porzingis, because it was clear all series that the Pacers hold the height advantage. Derrick White ended up playing a lot of defense in the paint, even getting some blocks on big men. It was really a team effort for the C’s who are without Porzingis (calf) and Luke Kornet (Wrist).