INDIANA — The Boston Celtics are heading to the NBA Finals.

In yet another nail-biter, the Celtics prevailed in the final moments again against the Indiana Pacers to sweep them in the Eastern Conference Finals, 105-102. It will be the Celtics 23rd appearance in the finals. C’s will face the winner of the T’Wolves and Mavericks.

With the game tied 102 a piece in the final moments, Jaylen Brown drove to the basket before assisting it to Derrick White in corner for a three-pointer. Brown also made a huge block over Andrew Nembhard in the final moments as well. Then it was Jrue Holiday once again who made a winning play with an offensive board to seal the game.

Jayson Tatum finished the game with 26 points, 13 boards, and had five fouls. Brown led the team with 29 points. Holiday finished with 17 points, White had 16 points.

It was only right that the Celtics pulled out the game as they lost a former franchise great in Bill Walton who passed today at 71.

As far as the entire game goes, it was close the entire way. The Pacers fought hard and always finished each quarter strong and a buzzer beater for the first two quarters. Celtics went into halftime up a point. Nembhard had 24 points and 10 assists, Pascal Siakam finished with 19 points and 10 boards but seemed to disappear in the final moments as did Myles Turner.

Jaylen Brown ended up winning the Larry Bird Trophy for his stellar and clutch performances on both ends of the floor. He was clear upset after game 2 about not making an All-NBA team, but this series he proved the doubters wrong.

Critics will say the Celtics may have gotten an easy road to the finals, but they answered the call without Porzingis for much of the playoff run. Game 1 will be played on June 6 which is plenty time for Porzingis to rest and get ready to go up against his former teammate Luka Doncic. Last time the Celtics were in the finals was back in 2022 in which they lost to the Golden State Warriors.

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