Final: Celtics 117, Pacers 97 - A convincing blowout to seize control of No. 4 seed

Gordon Hayward (21 points) scored 20-plus points for the third straight game while making all nine of his field goal attempts, helping the Celtics turn a tight first half contest against the Pacers into a drubbing with a 117-97 victory. Jayson Tatum (22 points) led six different Celtics in double figures as Boston changed the game by outscoring the Pacers by a 67-47 margin in the middle two quarters, which turned the fourth quarter into garbage time, allowing Brad Stevens to rest Kyrie Irving and Al Horford for the final 15 minutes of the game.

The victory reduces the magic number for the C's to clinch the No. 4 seed down to one. Just one more win or Pacers loss in the final two games will seal the No. 4 seed. Two more wins and a couple of Sixers loss would also open the door for the No. 3 seed. Boston heads back to the Garden next to host a Magic team fighting for their playoff lives.

First Half Notes

• Celtics offense looking very patient out of the gate with the starting five. Baynes got found for some easy looks down low


• Pacers keep targeting Kyrie in the pick-and-roll and switches. He's going to need to be sharper defensively when the playoffs start to limit his exposure.


• Offensively, Irving getting whatever shot he wants against the Pacers defense though most times down the floor. He opens the game 5-of-9 from the floor.


• Game changes once Sabonis comes in the game off the bench. He has really been a difference maker on the offensive glass and has bullied Baynes and Horford at points in the post.


• C's going after Evans in the pick-and-roll with Hayward. The swingman putting together yet another solid game by making his first three shots.


• Morris getting a little shot happy early. He's taking high quality shots but not making them, perhaps showing some rust. Luckily Stevens doesn't ride with him for too long, going with Horford/Theis front line early in second quarter.

• Jaylen Brown will miss his third straight game due to back spasms. However, the shooting guard is improving and expects to be back in action next week ahead of the start of the postseason. Marcus Morris is a game-time decision but was trending towards being available after resting his sore knee on Wednesday night.


• The Pacers will be without starting point guard Darren Collison, who has missed a pair of games this week due to a leg issue. Wesley Matthews will be back in the lineup after a one game absence.


• The Celtics magic number to clinch the fourth seed in the East is down to three games thanks to a tiebreaker over Indiana. If they win tonight in Indiana, one more win or a Pacers loss will clinch homecourt advantage for them in the first round.


• The No. 3 seed also remains an outside possibility for Boston with three games remaining in the standings. If the Celtics finish out the regular season with a 3-0 record, they could catch the Sixers for the No. 3 spot if they lose two of their final three games. It's an unlikely scenario since two of those games will come against the tanking Bulls, but remains a situation to keep an eye on in the standings.