Saturday mirrored Boston's Friday night win over the Jazz, as the Celtics never trailed in their 118-101 win over the Indiana Pacers – a team that entered the night riding a six-game win streak.
Only this time, the Celtics had to earn it, and they did, as this year’s common theme of resilience was yet again on display.
“There’s a difference between just playing and having to earn wins,” head coach Joe Mazzulla said postgame. “And I think we were in a situation tonight where we had to earn it.”
Friday night’s 126-97 blowout win over the Jazz felt like one of those games the Celtics were “Just playing.” However, Saturday night, on the second night of a home-road back-to-back, against one of the league’s most relentless offenses, presented a different challenge.
Just like Friday night, the Celtics’ defense set the tone from the start – holding the Pacers to just 17 points on 7-of-23 (30.4%) shooting from the field and 1-of-10 (10%) from deep.
It marked just the second time this season the Pacers have been held to 17 points or fewer in a quarter. The only other occasion occurred against the Celtics in the third quarter on November 1.
The Pacers entered Saturday night with the NBA’s top-rated offense, averaging 126.4 points per game. However, the C’s defense shut them down – holding the hosts to a season-low 101 points on 41.3% shooting, their second-worst mark this season. Two of their three lowest-scoring totals of the season have come against Boston.
In their last two games, the Celtics have held their opponents to just 38.7% shooting.
Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics, pouring in a game-high 38 points on 14-of-23 (60.9%) shooting from the field and 8-of-13 (61.5%) from distance. Tatum’s eight made threes matched the Pacers' total as a team.
Jaylen Brown contributed another 31 points on 13-of-20 (65%) shooting from the field, with the Celtics advancing to a 25-2 when the All-NBA duo tops 30 points apiece.
Boston held Tyrese Haliburton to just 17 points on 5-of-17 (29.4%) shooting from the field and 2-of-9 (22.2%) from deep – marking just the third time this season Haliburton has shot worse than 30%.
Here are three takeaways as the Celtics earn their eighth win in their last nine games and advance to an NBA-best 5-1 on the second night of back-to-backs this season.
Kristaps Porzingis leaves the game with an eye injury
Porzingis suffered a left eye injury early in the first quarter after Aaron Nesmith inadvertently poked the big man in the eye while fighting for a loose ball. Porzingis remained on the floor for several seconds before heading to the Boston bench for medical treatment.
The Latvian native returned a few minutes later but did not last long – calling for a sub just 1:20 after returning.
The team declared his status as questionable to return due to “Left eye irritation,” yet he did not return for the second half.
“I haven’t gotten an update on KP,” Mazzulla said postgame. “Will probably find out later tonight or tomorrow.”
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The ever-so-steady Al Horford rose to the occasion in the absence of Porzingis, providing big-time plays on both ends of the floor.
The 37-year-old finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, and a game-high eight assists. Horford’s eight assists marked a new season-high, as he dished out more than Halliburton (7) – who leads the NBA in assists by a long shot.
“He’s just a guy you can always rely on,” Mazzulla said on Horford postgame. “He leads by example. And his positivity is contagious, and his poise is contagious. He’s the best.”
Midway through the fourth quarter, Horford stole the ball from Halliburton (one of the best passers in the league, who seldom turns the ball over) – pushed the pace in transition, and threw up a lob for Brown, putting Boston up 15 – and the dagger in Indiana.
Horford’s dependability can’t be stressed enough this season. The 16-year vet made a tough transition to the bench this season – embracing the idea of sacrifice more than anyone on the team – and has continuously put his team in positions to win games.
The former first-round pick is as steady as they come and is crucial to Boston’s success.
“We just can’t keep taking him for granted,” Tatum said of Horford postgame. “Best teammate I ever had, ultimate professional, and somebody that we can count on, night in and night out. He proved that again tonight.”
Turnovers and missed free throws make things interesting
If not for Boston’s turnovers in the first half, this had the potential to be another blowout. The C’s turned the ball over 12 times in the first half, resulting in 20 points for the hosts.
Boston’s turnovers also played into Indiana’s transition attack, resulting in 10 fastbreak points for Indiana. Quick math. Roughly 61% of Indiana’s first-half points came from Boston’s mistakes – preventing them from building a bigger lead and resulting in a nine-point halftime lead.
While Boston cleaned up the turnovers in the second half, another issue plagued them – free throw shooting.
Despite attempting 18 shots in the paint, and nine in the restricted area in the first half, the Celtics did not attempt a free throw in the first half -- Which, actually, may have been a good thing.
Boston struggled at the line, shooting 10-of-19 (52.6%) on the night, their worst mark of the season.
Tatum, Brown, and Horford each had 0-for-2 trips to the charity stripe in the third quarter as the Celtics shot 6-of-14 (42.9%) from the line in the frame.
Late in the third quarter, the Celtics tried to pull a fast one, sending Sam Hauser to the line to take free throws that Luke Kornet was supposed to take. Kornet knocked down both and hit the“Ice in my veins” celebration towards the Celtics’ bench.
The gesture prompted laughter on the Celtics’ bench, seemingly settling some nerves, as Boston knocked down four of their five free throw attempts after Kornet’s makes.
More importantly, it underscored the remarkable team cohesion and chemistry that defines this group.
More resilient play
Saturday night was not easy for the Celtics.
Tatum, Derrick White, and Sam Hauser each had four fouls with over four minutes remaining in the third quarter, Porzingis was injured, and they were on the second night of a back-to-back against against the NBA’s top offenses.
Nevertheless, the Celtics, as has been the case so often this season, didn’t give in to the excuses.
After exchanging punches for most of the night, Boston delivered the knockout blow in the fourth quarter. The C’s entered the final frame with a three-point lead, a lead that was up to double-digits just 3:32 into the quarter – as Boston began the fourth quarter on a 16-4 run.
Led by Tatum, who finished with 15 points in the final quarter, the Celtics outscored the Pacers 34-20 in the period.
Tatum’s heroic efforts in the fourth wouldn’t have been possible without his sidekick Brown, as it was the latter that kept things close for Boston in the third quarter.
Brown played the entire third quarter, scoring a team-high nine points, seven of which came in the final 2:35 – keeping things close until Tatum buried the Pacers.
Honorable mention: Oshae Brissett delivers once again
Brad Stevens mentioned Thursday that he would like to see if the team can find a “Big wing” prior to the trade deadline and noted that the player could already be in the building.
Since Stevens’ comments, there appears to be a leader in the clubhouse.
After impacting the game with his hustle on Friday night, Oshae Brissett delivered for the Celtics again on Saturday, providing a jolt off the bench with his rebounding and once again, his hustle.
Against his former team, the Syracuse alumnus scored eight points, snagged a season-high eight rebounds (five offensive), and recorded a block in roughly 20 minutes of action.
Amid Boston’s 16-4 fourth quarter run, Brissett provided a big boost when he drew an and-one against Obi Toppin and completed a three-point play.
“I love the mindset that he brings,” Mazzulla said postgame. “The multiple efforts. The winning plays. The toughness. The physicality. Every time he’s in the game, you feel his presence, and he’s been playing great for us.”
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