Back home after a 6-game road trip, the Celtics are off to a strong start with a very good exterior address (4/5), which allows them to be slightly ahead in the score (14-9). If Boston’s attack is on point, the defense is not, and Rick Carlisle’s men take advantage of it by exploiting all the defensive flaws, notably through Myles Turner to stay in contact (26-23). At the end of the 1st quarter, the Celtics only lead by two small points (34-32).
With a very good TJ McConnell, the Pacers enter the second quarter well, and continue to look into the eyes of the Celtics who can not come away (44-44). On a nice move, Derrick White gives his team an 8-point lead (56-48). Boston returns to the locker room with a five-point lead (60-55).
Back from the locker room, Jayson Tatum’s teammates are more aggressive on both sides of the floor. On a 3-point basket, Jaylen Brown offers 12 points ahead of Boston (69-57). The Celtics continue to unfold their basketball, and conclude the third quarter with a 16-point lead (92-76).
On a 3-point shot, Derrick White gives Boston a 19-point lead (95-76). The Pacers crack completely, and the Celtics soar to the score with 28 points ahead (106-78). The rest of the 4th quarter will only be a long “garbage-time”, Boston logically wins 120-95.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Celtics third quarter. After a balanced first half, Boston corrected the situation after returning from the locker room. Led by Jaylen Brown, the Celtics have been much more enterprising on both sides of the floor by stifling Indiana defensively and being much more aggressive on offense.
– Indiana moves away from the play-in. While they could have put pressure on Chicago and Toronto, the Pacers remain stuck in 11th place, and therefore at the gates of the play-in. Despite the return of Tyrese Haliburton as well as the good performance of Myles Turner, Indiana did not make the weight over time against an opponent cut to go very far this season.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ The Tatum-Brown duo. As often, Boston was able to count on its magic duo, which combines 61 points and 14 rebounds.
✅Derrick White. This is what we call a very good “role player”. Author of 22 points at 5/9 at 3-points as well as 9 assists, he was in all the right moves.
✅ Tyrese Haliburton. For his return from injury, he signs a solid performance with 20 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds.
✅ Myles Turner. He was able to exploit Boston’s defensive gaps in the interior sector. He finished with 20 points at 9/13 shooting.
⛔️ Buddy Hield. He went through his match again with an ugly 2/9 on shot.
THE FOLLOWING
Celtics (51-23): reception of the Spurs on the night of Sunday to Monday (00H).
Pacers (33-41): trip to the Hawks back-to-back (10 p.m.).
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