Jayson Tatum notched a powerful 38 factors with a season-high eight 3-pointers, whereas Jaylen Brown added 31 factors, main the Boston Celtics to a decisive 118-101 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night time and halting the Pacers’ six-game successful streak.
Tatum, who additionally secured 13 rebounds and 6 assists, joined forces with Brown for 27 of the Celtics’ 46 baskets on an evening the place they shot 51% from the sphere and maintained management all through the sport.
“Indiana is really good,” remarked Boston coach Joe Mazzulla. “When we play related basketball, with bodily half-court protection and intentional, poised offense, we play higher, and that’s type of what we did.”
Boston, rating third within the NBA in field-goal share protection (.449) and rebound price, showcased their defensive prowess, limiting the Pacers to a season-low level complete and outrebounding them 70-42.
Bennedict Mathurin led Indiana with 20 factors, whereas All-Star Tyrese Haliburton completed with 17 factors, seven assists, six rebounds, and 5 steals.
“We missed a lot of shots,” Haliburton commented. “They’re a very good defensive crew, however we shot a whole lot of pictures that we like. Just didn’t capitalize on them.”
Boston took a 29-17 lead on the finish of the opening interval, marking the Pacers’ lowest-scoring first quarter of the season.
Despite not making an attempt a free throw within the first half, the Celtics opened up a 16-point lead within the second quarter and held a 58-49 benefit at halftime. Tatum and Brown shot a mixed 16 of 27 for 37 factors earlier than the break.
“Me and Joe watch a lot of films together,” said Tatum. “It’s simply discovering methods to be aggressive. Play in house. Playoff actions.”
Although Indiana diminished its deficit to 84-81 getting into the fourth quarter, the Celtics surged forward by as many as 19 within the closing quarter, securing a cushty victory. Boston had restricted contributions from beginning heart Kristaps Porzingis, who performed solely six minutes earlier than leaving the sport resulting from a watch laceration.
This matchup added one other chapter to an eventful season collection. In the preliminary assembly on Nov. 1 in Boston, the Celtics dominated the Pacers 155-104 as Haliburton was sidelined resulting from harm. In a intently contested rematch on Dec. 4, Indiana emerged victorious 122-112, knocking the visiting Celtics out of the NBA’s inaugural in-season event behind Haliburton’s first profession triple-double.
Indiana performed with out beginning capturing guard Bruce Brown (bone bruise in the precise knee) and reserve guard Andrew Nembhard (again sprain).
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