Indiana Pacers: 3 takeaways from Game 2 vs. Celtics

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 14: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics and Thaddeus Young #21 of the Indiana Pacers go after loose ball during Game One of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 14, 2019 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images /

The Indiana Pacers let another close game go in their second matchup against Boston at the TD Garden. Here are the big takeaways from their Game 2 loss.

It’s hard to determine whether the Boston Celtics won Wednesday’s game 2 matchup, or if the Indiana Pacers lost it.

Indiana’s shooting woes continued to hurt them at the most inopportune times, and a 12-point fourth quarter lead was erased by Kyrie Irving and the C’s in a matter of eight minutes.

Irving, who finished with 37 points, poured in 9 of them in the final frame and continued to show his leadership of this team after missing an Eastern Conference Finals run in 2018.

Despite his and Jayson Tatum’s spectacular play, the Pacers were still able to hold Boston under 100 points, and if not for a late last-minute meltdown, could have stolen Game 2.

Coach Nate McMillan lamented on the team’s fourth-quarter drought, which was almost identical to their third-quarter slump in Game 1 that ultimately lost them that contest.

"“We missed a couple layups, we missed some open shots, we had some bad possessions during that time. We’ve just got to be clear about what we are doing, get the shot we want, and you got to make shots when you have those opportunities.”"

Now down 0-2 in the series, the Indiana Pacers missed a chance on Wednesday to steal homecourt advantage from Boston. Here are the takeaways from Game 2 as the series heads to the Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

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