Boston Celtics: 3 takeaways from decisive Game 3 win vs. Pacers

1. Kyrie is, in fact, good in the clutch

When a player has the capabilities and confidence to step up in Game 7 of the NBA Finals and drain  a cold-blooded 3 to put his team up in the final seconds of the game, you do what you can to make sure that player wears your team’s jersey.

That’s what Danny Ainge did with the trade heard ’round the world, acquiring Kyrie Irving, and it seems like it could pay off dividends for the Boston Celtics. While Irving was forced to sit out last postseason due to a nagging knee injury, Boston is just now getting a glimpse at what he can potentially provide the team when it matters most.

In Game 2 of this series, Irving exploded for 37 points and was a wrecking ball on both sides of the court for all 39 minutes he played. With Indiana displaying its trademark grit and determination, fighting Boston to the very end, Irving took the game over and scored nine fourth quarter points to secure the win.

In Game 3, while Irving struggled to get into a rhythm on offense through the first three quarters, once again he came alive in the fourth. With the game on the line, again, Irving hit a few buckets to push the Celtics just out of reach.

While he still only just turned 27, it feels like Irving has been busting ankles and getting buckets in the clutch for ages now. With a reputation earned as a killer, Irving’s fourth quarter performances will be a good indicator of Boston’s success this postseason.

There may not be a better closer in the league right now than Irving. There are a few on his level, sure, but would you rather put the ball in someone else’s hands with the game on the line? If Boston can just, at the least, keep these games close, fans have reason to be confident Irving can carry this team to the promised land in crunch-time.