Pacers Bounce Back with Impressive Win Over Celtics
The Indiana Pacers avenged a blowout loss to the Boston Celtics two nights earlier with a resilient 123-114 victory in the rematch at TD Garden. Tyrese Haliburton spearheaded the effort with a commanding 31-point performance, leading Indiana to one of its most satisfying wins of the season.
Game Breakdown
The Pacers established a physical presence early, focusing on scoring in the paint. This approach paid dividends as they outscored the Celtics 66-48 inside. Boston, known for its three-point shooting prowess, struggled to find rhythm, hitting only 16 of 54 attempts from beyond the arc. Indiana’s defense played a significant role in neutralizing Boston’s long-range game, with timely rotations and active hands disrupting the Celtics’ offensive flow.
Key Contributors
- Tyrese Haliburton: Haliburton was electric, shooting efficiently from the floor (11-of-19) and adding seven assists and six rebounds to his 31 points. His ability to control the tempo was instrumental in keeping the Celtics off-balance.
- Andrew Nembhard: Returning from a knee injury, Nembhard contributed 17 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. His all-around effort filled critical gaps on both ends of the floor.
- Pascal Siakam: Siakam chipped in with 17 points and five rebounds, providing a steady interior presence.
- Bennedict Mathurin: The young forward added 14 points, including a crucial run of eight points in the third quarter that helped Indiana maintain their lead.
Turning Point
Boston trimmed Indiana’s lead to 105-103 midway through the fourth quarter, but the Pacers responded with a decisive 13-0 run, sparked by Haliburton’s playmaking and Nembhard’s perimeter shooting. This burst put the game out of reach and silenced the TD Garden crowd.
What’s Next?
The Pacers (16-16) will host the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday in a pivotal matchup as they continue their push toward playoff contention.