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LOS ANGELES, USA – Gordon Hayward scored a team-high 20 points as the Boston Celtics defeated Indiana 110-106 on Sunday, April 21, to complete a first-round NBA playoff sweep of the host Pacers.
The Celtics captured their first best-of-seven series sweep since 2011 and advanced to a second-round matchup with either the Milwaukee Bucks or Detroit Pistons.
“Any time you 4-0 a team, you feel great,” Hayward said. “We’re going to heal up a little bit and be ready for the next round.”
The Bucks, who had the NBA’s best regular-season record, own a 3-0 series edge on Detroit and can complete a sweep of their own on Monday.
Hayward came off the Boston bench to lead 7 double-figure scorers, hitting 7-of-9 shots from the floor and all three of his three-point attempts.
Marcus Morris, another reserve star, scored 18 points and grabbed 8 rebounds for the Celtics, who won despite poor shooting from top stars and 16 turnovers.
Kyrie Irving went 4-of-13 from the floor, 0-of-4 from 3-point range, and finished with 14 points and seven assists while Al Horford was 4-of-19 from the floor, 1-of-6 on 3-pointers, with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Jayson Tatum had 18 points and eight rebounds, going 4-of-10 from the floor and 9-of-12 from the free throw line.
“It was a scrappy series, defensive series, physical series,” Hayward said. “Proud of our team for fighting. We fought through it. It was a great team win.”
The Celtics led 73-72 entering the fourth quarter but the Pacers had taken an 82-80 edge when Boston unleashed a critical 15-3 run to seize command.
Hayward had a 3-point play and a 3-point basket in the run while Tatum added a dunk and three free throws for the Celtics, who jumped ahead 95-85 with 3:32 to play.
After that, the Pacers never came closer than the final margin.
Bojan Bogdanovic led Indiana with 22 points.
Later games Sunday find defending champion Golden State at the Los Angeles Clippers, Portland at Oklahoma City and Toronto at Orlando with each home team seeking a victory to level their series at 2-2. – Rappler.com
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