BOSTON — In the third quarter of Game 2 in the Eastern Conference finals, Indiana's Pascal Siakam lobbed a pass that Pacers teammate T.J. McConnell mishandled. A moment was all Jaylen Brown needed. The Celtics star bull-rushed the ball, leaving McConnell in his wake and finishing through Siakam's foul.
As Brown stood at the stripe, chants usually reserved for Jayson Tatum filled TD Garden: "MVP! MVP!"
It was fitting recognition for Brown, who was 24 hours removed from an All-NBA snub.