The NBA playoffs resumed on Thursday night with Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals series between the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers. The matchup was a follow-up of a very close series opener that saw the Cs eke out an overtime victory. However, the second installment of the best-of-seven series was far less competitive.
In Game 2 Jaylen Brown was a dominant force on both sides of the ball as he posted a playoff career-high 40 points on Thursday. It came at just the right time as superstar teammate Jayson Tatum had an off night. Fortunately for Boston, several key opposing players also had rough evenings. Let’s look at 10 winners and losers from the Celtics 126-110 Game 2 win over the Pacers.
Winner: Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
While there is a lot of pressure on Tatum, Brown should feel it as well after signing a massive max contract extension last year. As much as anyone, he needs to come up big in this postseason and prove he is not just a regular-season star. He did that in Game 2 as he scored a career-best 40 points and was a game-high +18 when he was on the floor. He was a force on both sides of the floor and looked like a superstar on Thursday.
Loser: Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers
Myles Turner came up big in Game 1 as he scored 23, pulled in 10 boards, and tallied two blocks. With Kristaps Porzingis out Turner has to impose his will and be the most dominant big man on the court. Unfortunately in Game 2, he threw up a dud as he had just nine points and four rebounds in 24 minutes, while also turning the ball over four times and being a -9 when on the floor.
Winner: Jrue Holiday, Boston Celtics
The Celtics got Jrue Holiday so he can make life difficult for opposing star guards and chip in all over the stat sheet. He did that on Thursday as he scored a highly efficient 15 points (6-7 from the field), handed out 10 assists, and played a big role in limiting Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton to just 10 points in Game 2.
Losers: Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
Speaking of Haliburton, he had a disappointing night as he was 2-6 from three and managed just 10 points in 28 minutes of action. However, the worst part — and what could have long-term ramifications — is he missed most of the fourth quarter after suffering a hamstring injury that should have Indiana fans worried about his availability for Game 3.
Winner: Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers
With Haliburton having an off night, former Toronto Raptors star Pascal Siakam was the only player helping to keep the Pacers in the game into the third quarter. He scored 28 points on 13-17 shooting and hit several big shots in the second and third to keep things close. Unfortunately, the two-time All-Star’s best efforts were all for naught in another loss.
Related: 10 winners and losers from the Celtics Game 1 win over the Pacers in the NBA Playoffs
Loser: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
It won’t get a lot of attention because the Boston Celtics won, but Jayson Tatum had a quiet 23 points in 42 minutes on Thursday. He was 9-20 from the field and a horrid 1-7 from three. It was an off night that will be overlooked due to strong games from Jaylen Brown and Derrick White. However, nights like this could be costly if they reach the NBA Finals.
Winner: Derrick White, Boston Celtics
Speaking of White, he had a very strong game on Thursday night. The fan-favorite guard scored 23 (tied for the second most on the team), was 4-8 from three, and was a +11 during his 36 minutes of action. To win championships you need key rotation players to chip in and White continues to be a reliable player for the team when it matters.
Loser: TJ McConnell, Indiana Pacers
TJ McConnell was one of several Pacers bench players who had rough nights on Thursday. The team’s reserves played a huge role in their series win over the Knicks in the semis, and tonight proved when they can’t chip in Indiana is a very beatable team. The fan-favorite guard scored just 9 points on 4-10 shooting and was a game-worst -18 during his 17 minutes on the court.
Winner: Andrew Nembhard, Indiana Pacers
One of the quiet bright spots for Indiana on Thursday was second-year man Andrew Nembhard. On a night when Haliburton was a non-factor the young guard chipped in with a solid 16 points, five assists, two rebounds, and a steal. Hopefully, this is a sign of more to come from the 24-year-old because the Pacers will need it if they hope to come back from their current 0-2 deficit.
Loser: Ben Sheppard, Indiana Pacers
While guard Ben Sheppard isn’t expected to have a major effect on the game, you still want productive minutes from your players. In 23 minutes, the first-round pick had just seven points, was 0-3 from three, and was a -14 (second worst in the game) when he was on the floor. The Pacers depth is a strength, but if their reserves aren’t productive it makes this series seem like an insurmountable challenge.