The Boston Celtics are the first team to advance to the second round of the playoffs after sweeping the Indiana Pacers four games to none in their first-round series matchup.
The Celtics managed a 110-106 win in Game 4 despite the offensive struggles of two of their best players.
Kyrie Irving and Al Horford, who scored all of the important baskets in their close Game 3 win, combined to shoot 8-of-32 from the field, including 1-of-10 from beyond the arc in Game 4. Still, their teammates stepped up, particularly Gordon Hayward, who finished with a team-high 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting, to go along with three rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Jayson Tatum and Marcus Morris Sr. each added 18 points.
This goes to show how deep the Celtics are, as literally everyone on the roster can contribute as long as they know how to play together. Their teamwork and experience were on full display throughout the series. The Pacers tried to compete against them, but they just didn't have that go-to-guy that can help them in pressure-packed situations.
Boston now awaits the winner of the Milwaukee Bucks-Detroit Pistons series.
The Celtics are peaking at the right time, and they are starting to play better as a team. They seem to have been able to shake off their regular-season struggles and are poised to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Their first true challenge in these playoffs might come against the Bucks, who are one win away from advancing to the semi-finals.
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