Watch: Pacers' Myles Turner has a scoring explosion in the first half

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.

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.

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.