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Celtics at Pacers, Game 4 preview: Boston out for a sweep in Indiana, but knows firsthand this isn’t over – The Boston Globe

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Celtics at Pacers, Game 4 preview: Boston out for a sweep in Indiana, but knows firsthand this isn’t over – The Boston Globe


If any team understands that a 3-0 series lead isn’t entirely safe, it’s these Celtics, who roared back from a 3-0 deficit against the Heat in last year’s Eastern Conference finals to force a Game 7, only to watch an early ankle injury to Jayson Tatum derail their comeback.

But as close as the 2023 Celtics came, becoming only the fourth team in NBA history to even force a Game 7, they ultimately became the 154th consecutive team to lose a series after falling behind 3-0.

“We’ve met every challenge,” Jayson Tatum said after the Celtics improved to 11-2 in these playoffs. “We’re in great position right now, one win away from the finals. But we can’t look past Monday or anything like that, and we have a special opportunity to go back to the finals.”

The Celtics will still be without Kristaps Porzingis, who has been ruled out, while Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton is listed as questionable with a left hamstring injury he suffered in the third quarter of Game 2, which forced him to miss all of Game 3. Luke Kornet (wrist sprain) and Jrue Holiday (illness) are both listed as questionable. Holiday was questionable for Game 3 but ended up playing and coming up with some of the game’s biggest plays.

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The Pacers aim to avoid the fate that befalls 61 percent of teams that fall down 3-0: getting swept.

“We’re not going to be deterred,” Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said. “We’re going to be back here Monday night looking to extend the series and we’re going to come at it even harder. We have to. We don’t have a choice . . . Believe me, we are going after them.”

With a victory, the Celtics would reach their second NBA Finals in three seasons.

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When: Monday, 8 p.m.

Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis

TV, radio: ESPN, ESPN2, WBZ-FM 98.5

Line: Boston -7.5. O/U: 222.5.

CELTICS

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Season record: 75-20. vs. spread: 49-42, 4 pushes. Over/under: 51-44

Last 10 games: 9-1. vs. spread: 5-5. Over/under: 7-3

PACERS

Season record: 55-43. vs. spread: 53-42, 3 pushes. Over/under: 53-45

Last 10 games: 4-6. vs. spread: 6-4. Over/under: 7-3

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TEAM STATISTICS (2022-23 season)

Points per game: Boston 117.9, Indiana 116.3

Points allowed per game: Boston 111.4, Indiana 119.5

Field goal percentage: Boston .475, Indiana .469

Opponent field goal percentage: Boston .463, Indiana .485

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3-point percentage: Boston .377, Indiana .367

Opponent 3-point percentage: Boston .345, Indiana .373

Stat of the day: 90 percent of best-of-seven series end in four or five games when one team leads 3-0

Notes: The Pacers and Celtics are the two highest-scoring teams in the playoffs, with Indiana averaging 114.6 points per game and Boston putting up 111.8 . . . The Pacers are shooting 51 percent overall in the playoffs, the highest mark in the league . . . The Celtics lead all playoff teams with 39.5 3-point attempts per game . . . Both conference finals have never ended in sweeps in the same year in NBA history. The Mavericks lead the Western Conference finals, 3-0, after beating the Timberwolves on Sunday.


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Brendan Kurie can be reached at brendan.kurie@globe.com.





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Boston Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Made History In Hornets Game

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Boston Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Made History In Hornets Game



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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 01: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts in the first quarter during their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on November 01, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

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On Sunday night, the Boston Celtics played the Charlotte Hornets in North Carolina.

The Celtics won by a score of 114-99.

Boston Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Made History

GettyFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 26: Jayson Tatum, player of Boston Celtics looks on prior to the international friendly match between Brazil and France at Gillette Stadium on March 26, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Jayson Tatum finished the win with 32 points, five rebounds, eight assists and one block while shooting 12/23 from the field and 5/10 from three-point range in 31 minutes of playing time.

Tatum also made history during the game.

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Celtics Stats wrote: “Jayson Tatum scored his 14,000th career point tonight at Charlotte, becoming the ninth player in franchise history to reach that mark.”

GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 06: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the second quarter at TD Garden on March 06, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Tatum is now averaging 20.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.1 steals per contest while shooting 39.9% from the field and 32.3% from three-point range in 11 games this season.

Celtics Stats added: “Jayson Tatum recorded a season-high 32 points tonight at Charlotte. It marked his 16th career game with at least 30 points without committing a turnover – the most in franchise history.”

GettyCHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 02: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics dunks against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half of the game at Spectrum Center on November 02, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Celtics After Hornets Victory

GettyDETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 26: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on against the Detroit Pistons during the second quarter at Little Caesars Arena on October 26, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

With their win over the Hornets, the Celtics improved to 50-24 in 74 games, which has them as the second seed in the Eastern Conference.

They are in the middle of a three-game winning streak (and have won seven out of their last ten).

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On the road, the Celtics have gone 24-13.

Following the Hornets, they will play their next game on Monday night when they visit the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena in Georgia.

GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 08: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics talks with head coach Joe Mazzulla during the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at TD Garden on March 08, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 111-101. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

With Tatum playing like himself, the Celtics will have a real chance to win their second title in three years.

They are coming off a year where they lost to Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks in the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs.

Hornets After Boston Loss

GettyCHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 26: (R-L) LaMelo Ball #1 talks with Moussa Diabate #14 of the Charlotte Hornets in the second half against the New York Knicks during their game at Spectrum Center on March 26, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

The Hornets dropped to 39-36 in 75 games, which has them as the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference.

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They are in the middle of a two-game losing skid (but have won seven out of ten).

Ben Stinar Ben Stinar has been covering the NBA for over seven years. 

He has written for OnSI, Forbes, Amico Hoops, The Big Lead and had a podcast with former All-Star Jameer Nelson. More about Ben Stinar





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!$+∇√$[+[!LIVESTREAMs!]+] Minnesota Wild vs Boston Bruins Live Free Streams On Tv Channel 2026-03-29

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!$+∇√$[+[!LIVESTREAMs!]+] Minnesota Wild vs Boston Bruins Live Free Streams On Tv Channel 2026-03-29


Minnesota Wild vs Boston Bruins

HERE’S (*WAY TO WATCH*) Minnesota Wild VS Boston Bruins Free LIVE 2026-03-29 Rose Bowl Parade 2026 live: Rose Bowl Parade 2026 look to seize control of thrilling Rose Bowl Parade 2026. Every team in the Rose Bowl Parade 2026 has two wins apiece as we go into the final two game weeks. Rose Bowl Parade 2026 will host Rose Bowl Parade 2026 at Live NHL mAtch Durban’s Kings Park Stadium with the Rose Bowl Parade 2026 a single point ahead of Rose Bowl Parade 2026 in the standings and just one behind leaders Rose Bowl Parade 2026.



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+)WAY TO WATCH Free Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals LIVE

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+)WAY TO WATCH Free Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals LIVE


Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals

Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals LIVE GAME: Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals look to seize control of thrilling Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals. Every team in the Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals has two wins apiece as we go into the final two game weeks. Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals will host Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals at Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals Park Stadium with the Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals a single point ahead of Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals in the standings and just one behind leaders Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals.



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