The Boston Celtics came up short against the Indiana Pacers Wednesday night, losing 117-112 at home. Though Boston teased a comeback in the second half, the Pacers were ultimately the better team from start to finish.
Boston’s Jayson Tatum played great, but it was Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton who stole the show. Haliburton finished with 33 points and 8 assists on the night, decidedly dictating the flow of the game for much of the contest. Former Celtic Aaron Nesmith also had a nice night, turning in 15 points and 6 rebounds. Nine Pacers players scored 7 or more points overall.
The Celtics now drop to 4-6 in the month of December and have now logged three straight losses at home. The Celtics will look to right the ship Friday night against the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves. Here’s what you might have missed from Boston’s loss to the Pacers.
It was a tale of two halves as the Celtics fell to the visiting Pacers 117-112. https://t.co/I7xBXumPz4
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 22, 2022
Defensive woes haunted the Celtics
Indiana shot a blistering 8-for-11 from 3-point range in the first quarter, and the visiting team won the first period 42-22, never really looking back from there. For the game Indy shot 46.9% from the field, including 18-for-39 from 3.
It wasn’t just perimeter defense that flummoxed the Celtics, though. Boston struggled to protect the paint. The Pacers feasted at the rim, with 52 seemingly easy points in the paint.
Shots weren’t exactly falling for the Celtics. Boston finished the game shooting 38.6% from the field. Likewise, it was once again a cold night from the Celts from distance, as well. The guys in green shot 13-for-41 from deep.
Larry Bird first returned to the Boston Garden as an opposing coach in January of 1998. Rick Carlisle was there for the extraordinary moment. https://t.co/8mQDrtltU2
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 22, 2022
Payton Pritchard earned a rare start
Marcus Smart was unavailable against the Pacers with a non-covid illness, certainly a factor in Boston’s uninspired defensive effort. Smart’s absence also allowed Payton Pritchard to take his place in the starting lineup. This was Pritchard’s seventh career start, and the first since December of last year.
Pritchard earned considerable burn, even with Boston’s sluggish start. The former Oregon Duck played 7 minutes in his opening stint, but didn’t impact the game much. For the night, Pritchard had 3 points and 4 assists in 17 minutes on the floor.
Boston did get meaningful contributions from Malcolm Brogdon and Robert Williams. But whether off the bench or among the starters, the Celtics role players by and large didn’t have the necessary juice.
So far this season, reserve Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard has not gotten much playing time, but he’s been a key microwave scorer for the Celtics whenever interim head coach Joe Mazzul… https://t.co/ggAVl2CRSc
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) November 28, 2022
Jayson Tatum went for the win
By far the brightest takeaway from Wednesday’s loss was Jayson Tatum’s MVP-caliber performance. Though he was a little slow to find his groove, the All-Star forward was a major catalyst for Boston’s near comeback. The Celts cut what was once a 30-point lead down to just 5 in the fourth quarter.
Tatum finished the game with 41 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Robert Williams also deserves massive credit here. The big man contributed a critical his 6 points and 12 rebounds in 22 minutes of action.
Boston won the third period 42-29, and ultimately outscored Indiana 69-46 overall in the second half. When the final horn sounded, however, the Celtics weren’t able to complete the comeback, even with the team’s top dog playing his best.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle on Celtics alum Aaron Nesmith’s success sarting for Indiana at the 4 https://t.co/IUZOuCELyo
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 22, 2022
Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ
