Celtics respond to unexpected lineup choice by Pacers in Game 2
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) takes a shot over Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Smith (25) in the latter half of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals on Thursday, May 23, 2024, held in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
While the Celtics secured a comfortable victory against the Pacers in Game 2 on Thursday, they maintained a steady lead for most of the second half. Despite the Pacers’ ability to quickly narrow the lead, as demonstrated in previous encounters, the Celtics didn’t face significant resistance in the final quarter, partly due to Pacers coach Rick Carlisle’s decision. With 9:25 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Pacers trailing by 17 points, Carlisle opted to bench his starters for the remainder of the game. Although a sizable deficit, it’s not insurmountable in today’s NBA, where teams can rally swiftly, particularly the Pacers. However, the Celtics asserted that they stuck to their game plan despite the unexpected move by the visiting team.
Celtics respond to unexpected lineup choice by Pacers in Game 2
“Just stay focused,” remarked Jrue Holiday. “We understand that the bench players, whether second or third string, seize this opportunity to make an impact. While the primary and secondary units of Indy play hard, these players go even further. On such a grand stage, anything can happen, and players can step up.”
“It caught us off guard a bit,” said Jaylen Brown. “I’m not sure of the rationale behind it, but our focus remained on winning the game. So, I believe that was our primary objective, but yeah, it was definitely unexpected.”
Carlisle justified his decision by stating the need to give his starters some rest while evaluating different players on his bench. Admittedly, the Pacers had endured several intense matches, having gone the distance in a seven-game series against the Knicks. Conversely, the Celtics enjoyed valuable rest as they awaited the conclusion of the other Eastern Conference semifinal.
