The Indiana Pacers played to scare themselves against the Boston Celtics, but ended up winning 135-132, after overtime, thanks to a last long-distance basket from Pascal Siakam, definitely very comfortable in the exercise this night.
The Indiana Pacers led by 19 points with less than nine minutes remaining, 13 with less than four and 7 with less than 90 seconds remaining. However, thanks to a very high level end to the match from Jayson Tatum, author of 10 points in the last three minutes of regulation time, the two teams found themselves in overtime.
Given the dynamics of the match, it was natural to imagine the Boston Celtics coming out and remaining invincible after five games this season. But Tyrese Haliburton's teammates managed to demobilize to win the victory with a final 3-point dart from Pascal Siakam.
PASCAL SIAKAM. CLUTCH.
Puts the Pacers up 3 with 6.1 seconds left in OT on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/lVxFwgchpx
— NBA (@NBA) https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1851803809904791558?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
It must be said that the Cameroonian was confident in the exercise last night; he finished 5/7 from afar, a percentage not necessarily usual for the power forward.
But if it is Spicy-P who will reap the praise following this big shot in the money-time, the best player of the meeting on the Pacers side was undoubtedly Ben Mathurin. The guard put out a performance as a candidate for Sixth Man of the Year with 30 points and 11 rebounds.
The Green House showed heart last night and refused to give in without a fight, but the winning streak is over. The team's 34% shooting from distance weighed on the final result, Joe Mazzulla's team being more dependent than ever on this weapon.