10 stats to know from the Celtics’ Game 3 win over the Pacers

Celtics

Al Horford is the oldest player in NBA history to make seven 3s in a playoff game.

For the second time in three games, the Celtics relied on late-game magic to outlast the Indiana Pacers.

The reality is that Boston could easily be down 2-1 right now. Instead, the Celtics came through in the deciding moments to take a 3-0 lead.

After Saturday’s 114-111 triumph, Boston is firmly in control and eyeing a Monday night sweep.

Here are 10 eye-opening stats after Game 3 to help contextualize a wild game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

1. Late game heroism

According to Celtics radio manager Sean Grande, the Celtics are the first team in the last 25 years to win multiple games in a series after trailing by at least five points in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter. .

In both games, the odds were stacked against the Celtics. In Game 1, it was Jaylen Brown’s clutch tying 3 that sent the game into overtime. In Game 3, it was Jayson Tatum’s back pass and Jrue Holiday’s steal and steal, among other plays.

2. Jayson Tatum’s dominance

Tatum is the first player in NBA history to post at least 36 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists, along with 0 turnovers, in a playoff game, according to Taylor Snow of Celtics.com.

Tatum caught fire in the first quarter and helped keep the Celtics afloat in the second half. He shot 12 of 23 from the floor and 5 of 10 from 3-point range and also added two blocks and a steal.

3. Al Horford’s shot

According to Snow, Horford is the oldest player in NBA history (37 years, 357 days) to make seven 3s in a playoff game.

Horford was 7 of 12 from distance, including one of the biggest shots of the night coming off the wire from Tatum.

According to Celtics statistician Dick Lipe, no one else in NBA history, regardless of age, has ever had more than one career playoff game with six 3s and three blocks. He will be 38 years old on June 3.

The Celtics made 16 3-pointers in total, compared to just five for Indiana.

4. Deliver in the Clutch

Much has been made of the Celtics’ perceived inability to execute in the clutch, but so far in the playoffs, that hasn’t been the case at all.

According to Grande, Boston has the best offensive (134.4) and defensive (96.9) ratings among teams that have played 10 or more minutes in the postseason.

The Celtics are 3-0 in the playoffs, recorded 10 assists on 12 field goals and made all 13 of their free throws, according to Lipe.

5. Defensive Improvement

Lipe noted that Indiana’s 42 points in the second half were the Pacers’ fewest all season.

After being down 38 in the second quarter en route to 69 at halftime, Indiana scored just 21 in the third quarter and 21 in the fourth.

The Celtics held the NBA’s highest scoring team to 27 points on 30.6% shooting in the final 18 minutes.

6. Quite a comeback

The Celtics, who trailed by as many as 18 points midway through the third, completed their fifth-biggest playoff comeback since 2000 and biggest since 2018.

Here’s the full list, courtesy of Lipe:

7. Presence of Xavier Tillman

Xavier Tillman helped change the complexion of the game with his defensive intensity and versatility.

He finished with a team-high plus-13 and added a steal. Tillman only took one shot (he made it), but his activity in 13 minutes was critical – much like Oshae Brissett’s contributions in Game 2.

8. Sam Hauser’s difficulties

Sam Hauser is a great shooter, but the reality is he’s in a bad spot right now.

Hauser, who went 0 for 3 from distance on Saturday, is now 0 for 9 from downtown in this series.

He hasn’t had a game with more than two 3-pointers since Game 5 against the Heat in the first round.

9. Road Warriors

The Celtics started the playoffs 5-0 on the road.

As of last year, according to Grande, their seven straight wins are tied for the fifth-longest streak in playoff history. With one more, they could tie the 1995-96 Rockets and 1991-92 Bulls for third all-time.

10. This bodes well for Boston

According to Shane Young of Forbes, among teams that started the playoffs 11-2 or better and outscored their opponents by 100 or more during that span, 14 of 16 won it all.

The Celtics rank 12th in point differential, at 118, and everyone is above them, but the 2017 Cavaliers won a championship.