Pacers Deliver Decisive Blow to Celtics, Securing Season series Victory
Teh Indiana pacers exacted revenge on the Boston Celtics Sunday, claiming a resounding 123-114 victory at TD Garden. This triumph marked their second win in three matchups against the reigning NBA champions this season, erasing the memory of a lopsided 142-105 defeat just three days prior.
Leading the charge for Indiana was Tyrese Haliburton, who delivered a stellar performance with 31 points, six rebounds, and seven assists. He spearheaded a balanced offensive attack that saw six Pacers players reach double figures. Andrew Nembhard contributed 17 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, while Pascal Siakam added 17 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Bennedict Mathurin chipped in 14 points, and myles Turner added 13. The Pacers bench also made a significant impact, with Jarace Walker scoring 12 of their 31 points.
Indiana’s offensive efficiency was remarkable, shooting nearly 53% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc.
Despite the absence of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis,the Celtics fought valiantly,led by jaylen Brown’s 31 points,four rebounds,and six assists. Jayson Tatum added 22 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, while Payton Pritchard provided a spark off the bench with 21 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Derrick white contributed 17 points, and Dominican Al Horford, starting for Joe Mazzulla, added five points, five rebounds, and three assists.
The Celtics, who had rediscovered their winning form against the Pacers on Friday, struggled to contain Indiana’s relentless scoring pace. Despite a spirited fourth-quarter rally that briefly threatened to swing the momentum, Boston ultimately fell short.
The Pacers dominated the first half, shooting a scorching 59.5% from the field and establishing a commanding lead. Four Pacers players, led by Nembhard’s 14 points, reached double figures before halftime. While Brown kept the Celtics within striking distance with 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting, Boston trailed by seven at the break.
indiana extended their advantage in the third quarter and maintained control throughout the fourth, ultimately securing a 105-94 lead.
A Tale of Two Halves: Breaking Down the Pacers’ Big Win over the Celtics
Welcome back, hoops fans, to another edition of “Courtside Confidential!” Today, we have a special guest, former NBA Champion and current analyst, Reggie Miller, joining us to dissect the Indiana Pacers’ impressive victory over the Boston Celtics.
Reggie, welcome to the show!
reggie Miller: Thanks for having me.Always a pleasure to chat hoops.
This Pacers win was certainly eye-catching, reggie. They dismantled the celtics, handing them their second loss in three matchups this season. What stood out to you most about Indiana’s performance?
reggie miller: You know, before this series, people were writing off the Pacers. That 142-105 thrashing by the Celtics on Friday had many questioning their mettle.
But this team showed resilience. They bounced back with a vengeance, shooting lights out, sharing the ball beautifully, and playing with a swagger we haven’t seen from them consistently.
You mentioned the shooting percentage, Reggie. The pacers were on fire, hitting over 50% from the field and 40% from three. was it just hot shooting, or was there something more to their offensive success?
Reggie miller: It was a combination of factors. Obviously, they were hitting shots, but the ball movement was key. They found open looks,didn’t force anything,and trusted each other. Tyrese Haliburton was masterful, orchestrating the offense like a seasoned veteran.
But you can’t overlook the contributions from the bench. Jarace Walker, for example, stepped up big time and those 12 points from him were crucial.
Let’s talk about the Celtics, Reggie. They were missing Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, which undoubtedly hurt their chances. But even with those absences, you wouldn’t expect them to be so thoroughly outplayed, woudl you?
Reggie Miller: No, you wouldn’t.the Celtics are champions for a reason. They have depth, talent, and Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are as dynamic a duo as there is in the league.
But tonight, their defense just wasn’t there. Indiana got whatever they wanted offensively.
They were also outplayed in the hustle categories: rebounding, loose balls, you name it. That’s uncharacteristic for this Celtics team.
fans, what are your thoughts on this game? Did the Pacers truly expose weaknesses in the Celtics, or was this simply a case of one team firing on all cylinders while the other was off their game? Let us know in the comments below!
Reggie, looking ahead, how do you see this series unfolding? Can the Pacers realistically challenge the Celtics in the long run?
Reggie Miller: That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? This Pacers team has shown they can beat the Celtics. But Boston is a resilient team, they’ll learn from this loss, and they’ll come back hungry for revenge.
The next showdown between these two teams will be engaging. It’s going to be a real test for Indiana,and I wouldn’t be surprised to see this rivalry heat up considerably.
Reggie, thanks for your insights!
Reggie Miller: My pleasure.Always great to talk basketball with passionate fans!
