Brown scores career playoff high with 40 points, Celtics beat Pacers and take 2-0 lead

BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown was a big problem for the Indiana Pacers even before his All-NBA team rejection, which may have fueled his desire to show the Boston Celtics.

“I think he cares in a way that motivates him, and I think he actually doesn't care at all,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said after watching Brown score his playoff career-high 40 points in Boston's 126-110 win over Indiana in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals on Thursday night.

“He understands that winning is the most important thing,” Mazzulla said. “He only cares about the right things.”

Two nights after his game-winning three-pointer and a day after being left out of the league's Top 15 Players poll, Brown scored 10 points during a 20-0 Boston run that saw the Celtics turn a first-quarter deficit into a second-quarter lead they never relinquished.

When asked if he was motivated by the rejection of the All-NBA nomination, Brown said, “I wouldn't say that.” When asked to elaborate, he colorfully said, “We're two games away from the Finals. I don't have time to worry about that.”

Jayson Tatum and Derrick White each scored 23 points and Jrue Holiday had 15 points and 10 assists for the top-seeded Celtics, who lost Game 2 in both previous series this postseason.

Pascal Siakam scored 28 points for Indiana, which heads home for Games 3 and 4 on Saturday and Monday nights, to an arena where the team has won 11 straight games since March 18 – including six in the playoffs. Tyrese Haliburton, who had 25 points and 10 assists in the series opener, had 10 points and 8 assists on Thursday before leaving the game in the third period.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Haliburton injured his left thigh, the same injury that sidelined him for 10 games in January.

“We need Ty, but with a 'next man up' mentality,” Siakam said. “We need to play together. This team got to where it is by playing together. … It's up to us to keep going.”

A game after the Celtics took a quick 12-0 lead and Indiana spent the rest of the first half fighting back, the lead changed 10 times in the first quarter and the Pacers led 27-22 with 1:14 left.

Then Boston scored the next 20 points.

Indiana missed nine straight shots and committed four turnovers during the six-minute-plus drought. Brown scored 10 of his own during the run and had 24 at halftime; he opened the third quarter with two quick baskets that gave the Celtics a 61-52 lead.

But Siakam came into the game well in the second half, scoring four baskets in the first four minutes – two 2s and two 3s – to bring the game within two points. Boston pulled away again – this time for good – scoring 16 of the next 21 points.

Indiana never got back into single digits.

Brown scored 26 points on Tuesday night as the Celtics won thanks to some Pacers unforced errors — particularly Haliburton — are on the home stretch. On Wednesday, Brown was left off the All-NBA teams; his second-team selection last year made him eligible for a five-year supermax extension that made him the highest-paid player in the NBA.

“I mean, he's got it,” Holiday said. “You see what I see. Great player. Great leader. But he wants to win. And takes things into his own hands. So I'm glad to have him on my side. I'm on his side. The way JB plays, man, is outstanding.”

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