Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum stayed ready for their big moments in Game 1

"Big-time players make big-time plays."

That was Jayson Tatum's go-to remark in his post-game press conference after the Boston Celtics' Game 1 overtime win over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. He used that phrase to describe both himself and Jaylen Brown, who each had their big moments in the team's clutch win.

However those moments were born, in part, due to both players struggling early on. How they stayed locked in despite those issues was a common talking point after the game.

Brown's big moment came at the end of regulation. He was on the floor for eight of the first 11-plus minutes of a close fourth quarter but in that time scored just two points - both coming at the free throw line.

He wouldn't hit his first field goal of the quarter until there were six seconds to go. That shot - he first and only made three pointer of Game 1 - tied the score at 117-117 and sent things to overtime.

"I only took four threes, and for the most part, I was just trying to get to the paint for most of the game," Brown recalled after the game. "But down three, we need a big shot, and big play to extend the game."

Despite not shooting much from deep, Brown remained ready and was confident in the moment.

"I was just talking to myself [leading up to the play]. 'If I get this shot, it's going in.' I was telling myself the whole time, 'if you get it, it's going up, and it's going in,'" Brown shared after the game. "Jrue [Holiday] made a great pass, [Derrick] White set a good screen, and the rest was history."

“It’s simple: Big-time players make big-time plays," Tatum said after the game, recalling the shot. "That was a hell of a shot he made."

Tatum's turnaround was a bit more extreme. After a solid first three quarters he faded for most of the fourth. He scored just four points in that quarter on 2-of-7 shooting while missing multiple open looks in the final two minutes that could have helped the Celtics avoid the dramatic ending all together.

Aided by Brown's heroics though, Tatum was able to regather himself and lead the Celtics in taking control of the game in overtime. He finished OT with 10 points - the first 10-point overtime performance by a player in a playoff game since 2021 - as the Celtics outscored the Pacers 16-11 over the extra five minutes.

“It really just felt like we had a second chance," Tatum said after the game when asked about his approach to overtime. "JB [Jaylen Brown] gave us a second chance by hitting that shot. And we just talked about it in the huddle. ‘We got a second chance. Let’s take advantage of it. Let’s not mess around. And let’s figure out a way to win this game.”

As for his own personal approach after a rough fourth quarter, Tatum said he leaned on past experience to work through it.

"I think just mentally understanding that I’ve had spurts throughout big games where I didn’t hit shots or shoot the ball well. But it’s as simple as just believing that the next one is going in," he recalled. "I always feel like I’m just, I’m one make away from being hot or being in a great rhythm. So, taking the right shots, playing within the flow of the game, and doing all the other necessary things to impact the game."

Or to put it more simply, "big-time players make big-time plays. Simple as that.” That was Tatum's response when asked about bouncing back from a mental mistake that led to a turnover at a key point in the fourth quarter.

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla echoed that approach when asked about Tatum's night postgame. "I just think he missed some good looks. Some open ones," he said. "He just plays with a level of poise and a level of comfort, knowing that the next one’s got a chance to go." It also happened to be something Mazzulla talked about during his weekly appearance on Zolak & Bertrand earlier in the day on Tuesday.

Tatum finished the game as the Celtics' leading scorer with 36 points. Brown finished third with 26, two behind Holiday.

Now, the duo will try to carry over the momentum of their late-game rebounds into Game 2. That will be on Thursday, with coverage starting at 7:30 p.m. on the BetMGM 98.5 The Sports Hub Celtics Radio Network.

Pacers vs. Celtics…. No, it doesn’t have the juice that Knicks vs. Celtics would have had. But this will absolutely be the Celtics toughest test of the postseason so far. And likely a lot tougher than a matchup against the banged-up Knicks would have been. As we get ready for Game 1 on Tuesday night let’s take a look at the five players that will play the biggest roles in determining this series. 

You aren’t going to find a bigger Derrick White fan than me. Brad Stevens has put together a longggg list of impressive moves during his time as the president of basketball operations for the Celtics. Still, turning Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford, and picks into White back in 2022 might remain his best move. He was arguably the Celtics best player in their opening round series against the Heat and after three consecutive poor shooting games against the Cavs, White finished that series with a strong 18-point performance in Game 5. If White can continue to give you the type of play he did in round 1 and in Game 5, this series won’t last long. 

The Pacers acquired Siakam at the deadline from the Raptors in exchange for Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora and three first round picks. So far this postseason the trade has worked out. In 12 playoff games he is averaging more than 21 points per game while shooting better than 50% from the field. That is NOT what Siakam brought to the table the last time he played the Celtics in the playoffs.

During the bubble postseason the Raptors and Celtics went 7 games in the Eastern Conference semifinals, in that series Siakam saw his averages plummet from 23.6 points per game on 45.9% shooting during the regular season to 14.9 points on 38.2% shooting. For his career against the Celtics he has averaged 17.6 points in 25 games (his biggest game a 40 point performance against the Celtics in 2022 came against a Celtics lineup that did not have Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, or Al Horford).

The question is which Siakam are the Pacers going to get this series. The one they have gotten so far this postseason or the one that showed up in the bubble against Boston. If it’s bubble Siakam this series will get ugly. 

I’ll come clean and admit that I was a way bigger fan of the In-Season Tournament than any rational person should have been. Sure, it was artificially created by the league but it also gave players an incentive to really care about games that weren’t actually playoff games. And it worked! Players did really care!

I was especially excited for the Celtics to have an opportunity at a dress rehearsal for the playoffs. Some actual reps with this new group in games that meant a little bit more! Unfortunately, those reps came to a premature end against the Pacers thanks to a fantastic performance from Haliburton in which he had 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists. He was the best player on the court that night. And while Siakam is a two-time all-star, I’m confident in saying that Haliburton is the one player the Pacers have that has the ability to take over games against Boston. If the Celtics can keep Haliburton in check the rest will take care of itself.

Yes, I am cheating a little bit with this one but stay with me. The latest update we received on Porzingis over the weekend is certainly encouraging if you are Celtis fan. According to Woj, “Porzingis is expected to remain sidelined for Games 1 and 2 of the Eastern Conference finals next week, but there is optimism he will be able to return sometime in the series barring any setbacks.” I still don’t think the Celtics are at a point in the playoffs where they need Porzingis to win the series (I said the day after the injury took place that the only team they will need him until the finals and I haven’t wavered on that take). That being said the injury took place on April 29^th, Game 3 of this series is May 25^th, that is nearly a month off for a legit seven-footer.

Getting Porzingis up and running, back in game shape, and confident again before the Finals actually begin is vitally important. There will not be a lot of wiggle room in the Finals. Making sure the rust is knocked off and Porzingis is healthy and productive is one of the biggest goals for Boston in this series.

He is the best player on the best team. Enough said.