INDIANAPOLIS — Even as the Celtics rolled to 64 regular-season wins and essentially sewed up the top seed in the Eastern Conference shortly after the All-Star break, one question shadowed them into the postseason.
How will they fare when they need to execute their late-game offense under duress?
Monday night in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the answer arrived.
They executed — on offense, and defense too — like a team absolutely hellbent on winning a championship.
Derrick White buried a corner 3-pointer with 45 seconds remaining to break a 102-102 deadlock, Jrue Holiday bounded to collect a crucial offensive rebound on the final possession, and the Celtics advanced to the NBA Finals for the second time in three years with a 105-102 win over the Indiana Pacers.