BSJ Game Report: Pacers 97, Celtics 91 -- Comeback falls short taken at TD Garden (Celtics)

(Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports)

Celtics

BSJ Game Report: Pacers 97, Celtics 91 -- Comeback falls short

By Brian Robb

Feb 9, 2018 • 11:55 pm

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It's too early to call it a funk, but something isn't right with the Celtics' offense. That's been the case for the majority of the season, but some of the team's worst flaws have popped up more in the past week. They were on display for three quarters on Friday night. Outside of a 34-point outburst in the third period, the hosts couldn't get anything going against a largely mediocre Pacers defense. It's a pattern that has come up for extended stints against the Raptors and Wizards over the past two games as well and it's bothering Brad Stevens.

"I think that our biggest issue as a team is we aren’t crisp," the head coach said after the 97-91 defeat to the Pacers. "We don’t crisply do things on offense. We are probably more of a short-cut taking team then we need to be, to be the best version of ourselves."

Teams are going to look sluggish at times when they play three games in three cities over four nights, which was the case for the Celtics on Friday night. However, the lack of execution within the C's offense continues to be a problem whether the team is rested or not.

“We just have to – we have to get better cutting, we have to get better screening, we have to get to our spots quicker, we have to not take for granted not every single cut," Stevens explained. "We have to get the ball where it needs to be.  We’re just not as good.  And to me, that’s on me. And I’ve got to do a better job of holding us accountable to doing that. And so, you know, I will do that.”

The Celtics have talked about the need to play with more pace and purpose all year long but with the trade deadline passed and under 25 regular season games on the calendar remaining, time is running out for this group to prove they are better than a below average NBA offense (20th ranked on year).

"It’s just time for us to really focus on what we have to do as a team to accomplish something bigger than ourselves," Irving explained. "That’s an everyday process. Sometimes it looks great, sometimes it doesn’t. Just got to be unwavering in your approach. Our attention to detail just has to be that much better and that’s going to demand more from me, from Brad, from Al, you know leaders on the team, stick together on the same page."

Everything you need to know about the Pacers’ 97-91 win over the Celtics in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis.

Box Score

HEADLINES

A comeback that wasn’t: The Celtics trailed by as many as 26 points in a horrendous first half, but managed to fight their way back and capture their first lead of the game at the 4:46 mark of the fourth quarter. Boston’s offense came up empty down the stretch, though, as they managed just 19 fourth-quarter points on 31 percent shooting (7-of-22). The defense put up a good fight late but some clutch shots from Victor Oladipo (game-high 35 points) put the Pacers back in front for good and salvaged what would have been an ugly collapse for Indiana. Kyrie Irving had a team-high 21 points in the loss. 




Tired legs heading into the All-Star Break
Boston went through the motions in the first half of this one against a rested Indiana team and it was painful to watch at times. After a tough overtime win in Washington DC on Thursday night, the starters and bench showed no fight early on, relying on outside jumpers that weren’t falling, and passive defense. The hosts shot just 29 percent from the field in first half and hit one 3-pointer while the Pacers got whatever they wanted (59 points on 53 percent shooting) before the break. The Celtics put their foot on the gas in the second half but this is a group that looks like could use a few days off with the All-Star break days away.


TURNING POINT






ONE UP


Jaylen Brown in the third quarter:
The 21-year-old shooting guard was relentless attacking the basket after the break, keying a 34-17 quarter by the Celtics with his 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting. He also went 2-of-4 from 3-point range as he played all 12 minutes of the frame. Unlike the first half, he drove the ball under control and only turned the ball over one time despite his high usage.



 


TWO DOWN


Marcus Morris:
Friday night marked the third consecutive game the veteran forward has shot 35 percent or below from the field. Maybe the Celtics should have given him some more time off since his hip injury because he’s been weighing down the Celtics offense mightily since his return. He tallied just six points on 3-of-12 shooting on Friday and is shooting 30 percent from the field over the last three games despite averaging 13 shots per game. If he’s out of rhythm, he needs to cut down on his volume for C’s to be successful.


Terry Rozier:
The athletic guard tallied 10 points for the sixth consecutive game but it did not come easy. He was 1-of-11 from the field, with his only make of the night coming on a half-court, buzzer-beater 3 at the end of the third quarter. He did manage to get to the free throw line eight times but his eagerness, particularly in settling for 3-pointers on the fast break, needs to be reeled in some when Boston’s offense is floundering.


TOP PLAY






TWO TAKES B-ROBB WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER


A lack of point guard depth finally came back to bite Celtics:
Boston had been cruising without Shane Larkin and Marcus Smart for much of the past three weeks (6-2 record without both) but both were desperately needed against an uptempo Pacers team that likes to play small. The offense was disorganized early and could have used a facilitator in Larkin to push the tempo and get the ball moving a little bit (only 16 assists). Meanwhile, the Celtics had no answer for Oladipo in crunch time and you can bet Smart would have been a better bet on him late than Irving. Going big helps against certain teams: the Pacers are not of those squads. Larkin and Smart should be back right after All-Star break though.


Indiana is still an ideal first-round matchup for Boston:
Oladipo has given the Celtics problems all year but with a formidable group of first-round opponents at the bottom of the East this year, the lack of talent level across the rest of the Pacers roster makes this an ideal first-round matchup for the Celtics. There is no one else to be afraid of within the Pacers offense and the pace they play with won’t be as much of a factor in the postseason as teams are rested and get back better on transition defense. When you factor in coaching and the lack of strong Pacers defenders across the floor, this is a team that C’s fans should be rooting to fall into the 1-8 or 2-7 bracket.

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