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USA Today via Reuters
May 25, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) looks on during the first quarter of game three of the eastern conference finals against the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-05-26T004658Z_1383607936_MT1USATODAY23387301_RTRMADP_3_NBA-PLAYOFFS-BOSTON-CELTICS-AT-INDIANA-PACERS.jpg?width=600)
USA Today via Reuters
May 25, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) looks on during the first quarter of game three of the eastern conference finals against the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Gainbridge Fieldhouse turned out to be ‘Painbridge’ for Indianapolis fans! They have yet to see the Indiana Fever win at home, plus the Pacers lost both games against the Celtics. Not only did the Boston Celtics sweep them away, but they also celebrated winning the Eastern Conference thanks to the performances of their top stars. Indiana performed just like in the previous games, where they gave up the lead in the final moments. And the former NBA veteran is irked by this performance of constant failures.
In the latest episode of Road Trippin’, three former NBA champions spoke about the Celtics’ dominance over the Pacers. Kendrick Perkins, Richard Jefferson, and Channing Frye, along with Allie Clifton, discussed their pregame predictions in their group chat. Perkins and Frye predicted the Pacers would win at home, while Jefferson predicted an annihilating victory for the Celtics. Both the predictions were wrong, and Frye defended his take with passion.
Since the Pacers had the lead with just 5 minutes to go, Frye expected them to close the game out. But the Celtics came back stronger and finished the game. According to the 41-year-old, this was only possible because Indiana players mentally gave up. ” The end of the game was garbage. I mean I don’t know a team that has been up on the number one team in America three games; three games, and lose all three games. come on, who else does that, who; no one else does that.”
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BIG TIME PLAYERS MAKE BIG TIME PLAYS 🚨 pic.twitter.com/YuGXxk7rls
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 28, 2024
The former champion criticized the players and said they had no drive to go back to Boston to play. “They literally subconsciously went damn you know what global warming is a real thing, I don’t want to get on that plane to go to Boston; we just going to stay here.” After his rant, Clifton asked Frye if he had any positive words for the Celtics star.
Frye gives credit to the star player for the victory against the Pacers
Jaylen Brown was the top-scoring player for the game and ended up winning the MVP award, yet Frye wanted to shout out his partner in crime. Jayson Tatum ended up being the second-highest scorer and also achieved a near triple-double in the final. Scoring 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists was definitely once again the star for Boston. “What I’m saying is Jayson Tatum is a matchup problem for 99.9% of the league…,” said Frye on the podcast.
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He even praised his famous step-back 3-pointer shot and used it to close the game. Yet the habit irks him a little, as he thinks that with Tatum’s skill, he can easily dribble past people and score more 2-pointers, especially when the lead is only 5 or 6 points. He doesn’t want the Celtics star to take a risk. And his 3-pointer stats for game 4 weren’t starworthy.
Step back is good 👌 pic.twitter.com/4mWoLWg35S
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 28, 2024
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He could only muster 3 from 11 for 3PT. Clifton even reiterated his 3PT playoff stats, which were 11 out of 36. Not the strongest numbers from Tatum, but still, the Celtics were able to sweeten the Indiana Pacers. And in a few hours, the Dallas Mavericks are eyeing sweeping the Wolves. Stay tuned for more such updates, and to hear what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, had to say about the marketing genius, watch this video.