The Boston Celtics produced a commanding performance to end the Indiana Pacers’ six-game winning streak with a dominant 118-101 victory in Indianapolis. Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with a game-high 38 points, and the American power forward received excellent support from Jaylen Brown who chipped in with 31 points. The 25-year-old Tatum displayed his all-around abilities by not only scoring, but also getting 13 rebounds, and dishing out six assists. The American made eight of his 13 3-point shots, demonstrating his ability beyond the arc. The Celtics established their dominance early, leading 29-17 after the opening quarter, 58-49 at halftime, and 84-81 entering the fourth quarter.
With 7:30 left in the fourth quarter, Boston led 100-85 thanks to a 14-2 run capped by a Tatum 3-pointer. With just 1:17 remaining, Tatum’s late three-pointer increased the Celtics’ lead to 116-97, clinching the victory. Al Horford also had ten points, seven rebounds, and eight assists. Despite laboring from the free-throw line (10-for-19), the Celtics were able to keep the Pacers at bay.
Tyrese Haliburton led the game for the Pacers with 17 points and seven assists, while Bennedict Mathurin chipped in 20. Buddy Hield and Myles Turner both contributed 15 and 12 points. Indiana, on the other hand, struggled from beyond the arc, making only eight of 42 attempts (19 percent).
The Celtics spent most of the game without their center Kristaps Porzingis, who exited the court early in the first quarter with an eye injury. The big man was poked in the face by Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith with 7:06 remaining in the first quarter, resulting in an eye injury. Porzingis returned to the game one minute later after receiving some care from Boston’s training staff, including some eye drops, but only stayed on the floor for two minutes before being hauled off.
Despite coming out and warming up before the start of the second half, Boston declared him questionable to return a short time later due to right eye discomfort, and he did not participate for the final 40 minutes of Boston’s win. Despite this setback, Boston showed perseverance and depth to prevail. The 28-year-old Latvian has played in 26 of a possible 35 games for Boston this season, missing a few games due to ankle and calf issues.
The Celtics have been in spectacular form, winning 13 of their last 15 games, while the Pacers will seek to recuperate in their next game against Boston on Monday night.
