On Saturday night, the Boston Celtics took a commanding 3-0 lead over the Indiana Pacers in a 114-111 clutch win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Pacers fought tenaciously on their home court without Tyrese Haliburton in the lineup, and actually controlled most of the game until late in the 4th quarter. It was all thanks to Jrue Holiday and his efforts on defense that sparked the Celtics comeback, including a game sealing steal in the final seconds.
“Yeah, I didn’t feel too well,” said Jrue Holiday after being listed as questionablebefore tip off due to illness. “But I guess I just figured if I got a good day’s rest or try to sleep through it that it would help me for tonight. But it’s Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, so I wasn’t going to miss this game.”
That defensive possession that Holiday had on Andrew Nembhard was a reminder of why Boston traded for the defensive-minded guard in the first place. The play was also eerily similar to the game-sealing steal that Holiday had on Marcus Smart during the Celtics 2022 playoff run. It’s these kind of moments that can define a championship season, and for the Celtics, it can serve as a massive momentum swing with one win separating them from their second NBA Finals berth in three years.
“I think I just made a play,” said Holiday of his steal against Nembhard. ”I feel like he’s a right-hand driver and he’s been very, very aggressive all night. Great player, had a great game, but I just made a play. I kind of jumped his right hand and got the steal.”
Boston’s offense stalled in the second quarter after the Pacers took a 33-32 lead, and Indiana kept their foot on the gas the rest of the way, including a 20-6 run before halftime. Indy’s lead ballooned to as much as 18 points, firmly planted in the driver’s seat as Boston clawed inch by inch to cut into the deficit. The Celtics dialed up the heat defensively to jump back into the game late, capping off a 13-2 run in the final 2:37 capped off by Holiday’s steal.
“He’s just a winner. I’m so fortunate to be playing next to him.”
Al Horford on Jrue Holiday’s big steal pic.twitter.com/qgZ2ilUFIV
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 26, 2024
“It was definitely a team effort,” said Holiday on Boston’s comeback. “I think from being down 18, we knew that we can lock in defensively and be better, and it showed. But it was definitely a team effort.”
By all accounts, Saturday night’s matchup didn’t feel like a game the Celtics should’ve won. There were only two lead changes and two ties the entire night, once at the 11:00 mark of the 2nd quarter and at 0:39 of the fourth quarter when Jrue Holiday converted on an and-one opportunity.
Holiday’s fingerprints were all over this comeback, leading the Celtics in the 4th with 9 points on a perfect 3-of-3 from the field, 3-of-3 from the line along with five rebounds, an assist and a very, very important steal.
“I think that’s a testament to our season,” said Holiday on Boston’s comeback. “Our season, we’ve switched up so many times and done so many different things against everybody in the league that we really feel like we became good at a lot of different defenses.”
In this series in particular, Holiday’s presence and impact have been tremendous, stepping up on both sides of the ball against one of the top offenses in the league. Both Boston and Indiana spent time with that title, and the two teams continued to light up opponents on offense in the postseason. The biggest thing separating these two squads is the Celtics versatility and ability to pressure on defense, and it made all the difference in Game 3.
“I think when we switched to zone, it threw them off a little bit,” said Holiday. “Or if we’re switching or if we weren’t switching…if I was on Myles Turner, or putting Al Horford on TJ McConnell, we definitely did our best to switch it up on them and make them feel uncomfortable. I definitely think that’s a testament to what we did during the season, and then being able to lock in in the playoffs is big.”
So much has been said about the Celtics playoff run, everything from criticisms of their stars to citing soft matchups with opponents missing key players. The term “battle-tested” has been used ad nauseam as a critique of Boston’s roster, as if it isn’t the most experienced group left in the postseason.
Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been in the playoffs on an annual basis since entering the league, and it’s collectively been ignored for the sake of the narrative. It also feels like Jrue Holiday and his influence have been slept on, and Saturday’s win was a reminder of what championship pedigree looks like.
“It’s definitely a blessing,” said Holiday on being in the Conference Finals. “I don’t take this for granted at all. It’s my 15th season, so to go to it twice, I know JT and JB have been here too, many times, but this is my second time. So I’m here and I’m appreciative, and I’m going to do what I can to get through this series.”
The Celtics will look to close out the Pacers tomorrow night, 8 PM EST tipoff.
