NBA: the Boston Celtics sweep the Indiana Pacers in the semi-finals and can dream of an 18th title

Jaylen Brown (à gauche), auteur de 29 points lundi, a été élu meilleur joueur de la finale de conférence. MAXPPP – CJ GUNTHER

La franchise du Massachusetts va disputer sa 23e finale et espère améliorer le record de victoires en NBA qu’elle co-détient avec les Los Angeles Lakers.

Favorites of the series, the Boston Celtics swept the Indiana Pacers (4-0), beaten 105-102 Monday in Indianapolis, and qualified for the NBA final. The Massachusetts franchise with 17 titles (record shared with the Los Angeles Lakers), will be able to play the 23rd final in its rich history. She has a good chance of facing the Dallas Mavericks from June 6, who lead 3-0 in the Western Conference final against the Minnesota Timberwolves, before match 4 this Tuesday, May 28 .

Boston returns to the final after its defeat in 2022 against Stephen Curry's Golden State Warriors. The Celtics have not lifted the Larry O’Brien Trophy since 2008 and the era of the Kevin Garnett – Paul Pierce – Ray Allen. The "C’s" are now led by a duo of American wing-backs, Jaylen Brown (27) and Jayson Tatum (26), who have grown with their team since being drafted in 3rd place in 2016 and 2016 respectively. ;2017.

Jaylen Brown voted best conference player

Jaylen Brown was voted best player in the Eastern Conference Finals, where he scored an average of 31.25 points. On Monday, he shone again with 29 points and several decisive actions, including ten points in the fourth quarter at two out of three from a distance. "I never won anything so I’was surprised" to receive the trophy",smiled Brown. The Celtics paid tribute before and after the game to Bill Walton, popular NBA figure, double champion – once with the Celtics in 1986 – whose death was announced earlier today.

On the floor, Boston was once again pushed around by Indiana, only to once again show itself to be solid and clinical at the end of the game, when the Pacers were becoming more confusing. In a match where no team was more than nine points ahead, the Pacers nevertheless took the advantage in the second half. But Tatum (26 points, 13 rebounds) brought the Celtics back to three points with a long shot 4 minutes 52 from time, then to two points with an acceleration followed by a powerful dunk at 3 ;nbsp;minutes 08. Brown flew for a counter on Andrew Nembhard (1'02") before Derrick White, with a long shot, gave the lead. rsquo;definitive advantage for his team 43 seconds from the siren.

Undefeated away

"We always find a way out. The playoffs are an emotional roller coaster, they're something you learn to deal with with experience", Tatum commented. Best team of the regular season (64 victories – 18 defeats), Boston will be the favorite in the final, with home advantage, and does not seem to show any weakness after having easily dismissed Miami in the first round ( 4-1), then Cleveland (4-1) and therefore Indiana, winning its six away matches.

Finalists in 2022 then beaten in the final in the East by Miami in 2023, the Celtics added last summer to their armada the leader Jrue Holiday, crowned in 2021 with Milwaukee, and Latvian pivot Kristaps Porzingis. Sidelined since the first round with a calf injury, Porzingis could return for the final and add a new card to the "C’s" game.

"We want to build on our past results but we are a different team from previous years. Time has passed, we have gained experience, I think we are ready to give the best", explained Jaylen Brown.