NBA fans stunned by Rick Carlisle's late decision as Celtics take 3-0 lead

The Boston Celtics won Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals to take a 3-0 lead over the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers went into halftime with a 69-57 lead and went into the fourth quarter with a 90-81 lead, but the Celtics came back from behind to win their first road game of the series by three points, 114-111.

Late in the fourth quarter, Boston was making shots that Indiana wasn't, but with time running out, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle had guard Andrew Nembhard grab a rebound and start a fast break with seven seconds left. At that point, Indiana was only one point behind.

Nembhard eventually lost the ball to Celtics guard Jrue Holiday, who was fouled by Pacers forward Pascal Siakam and went to the free throw line to make both free throws. Carlisle was furious and obviously thought Nembhard had been fouled. But fans were more pleased with Carlisle's decision to let the fast break run rather than taking his final timeout and working out a set play.

Carlisle took a timeout after Holiday's free throws and had a good chance for a 3-point attempt as time expired, but it fell through.

Even more frustrating for Pacers fans is that Carlisle admitted his mistake by not taking a timeout just a few days ago when the Pacers lost their first game.

Fans quickly realized that the cause lay in Carlisle’s decisions: