The Pacers’ longest-tenured player was their most dangerous offensive player in the first half of Game 1.
MYLES TURNER IS HEATIN' UP
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2024
The dunk... the triple... he's up to 18 PTS in the 1st half!
Pacers-Celtics | Game 1 on ESPN#NBAConferenceFinals presented by Google Pixel pic.twitter.com/vvrzh7rHs8
Myles Turner went off in the first half of Indiana’s first game against the Boston Celtics. He shot 7-for-10 and added two three-pointers, making Boston’s center duo of Al Horford and Luke Kornet work to defend him at the three-point arc.
Kornet in particular is more comfortable in drop coverage. When Turner made Kornet come out to the perimeter, Kornet struggled to keep Turner from getting to the rim with authority.
Myles Turner down the lane with authority!
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2024
Pacers-Celtics | Game 1 on ESPN#NBAConferenceFinals presented by Google Pixel pic.twitter.com/Fg0MncHLYG
Turner has spent his entire nine-year career with the Pacers, surviving trade rumors and enduring from the Paul George era through the Victor Oladipo era into the Tyrese Haliburton era. Now Turner’s blend of outside shooting and inside presence — he’s led the NBA in blocks twice — is finally getting a showcase deep into the playoffs.
He’s also showing off an unanticipated affinity for power dunks, taking advantage of the defensive attention on Indiana’s shooters to exploit the empty lane for jams.
Myles Turner down the lane with AUTHORITY pic.twitter.com/a8u9AfsS8R
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 22, 2024
With Kristaps Porzingis and now Xavier Tillman out for Boston, Turner has an opportunity to truly take advantage on the big stage. He’s been waiting for nine years.
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