BSJ Game Report: Pacers 117, Celtics 112 - 30 point hole too deep despite Tatum-fueled comeback

Everything you need to know about the Celtics loss to the Indiana Pacers, with BSJ insight and analysis 

IN A NUTSHELL

The Celtics opened the game on an 11-5 run, and though it wasn’t pretty, it was a nice departure from what we’d seen in recent games. But then it all fell apart in familiar fashion, with a bevy of missed shots, turnovers, and completely listless defense. The Celtics fell behind by as much as 30 before they staged a furious comeback led by a suddenly aggressive Jayson Tatum, but Tyrese Haliburton and Chris Duarte hit huge shots at key times to hold Boston off, 117-112.

Box Score

HEADLINES

Tale of two halves: The Celtics were out-scored 71-43 in the first half. They out-scored Indiana 69-46. That actually tells you a lot -- Boston wasn’t able to do quite enough in the second half, and Indiana was able to hit just enough to hold on. 

Tatum shows up to carry C’s: Maybe someone can hire an opposing player to just smack Tatum across the head during every game, because the un-called foul in the third quarter seemed to trigger Tatum into pissed-off mode. 

After the hit, he did this: 

Then, he did this (RIP Aaron Nesmith)

And THEN he did this, which got him to the line.

That guy is the MVP candidate. That guy is challenging Giannis Antetokounmpo. That guy can be the driver behind erasing most of a 30-point lead. That guy needs to show up more consistently. 

Shooting correction?: The Celtics were 10-26 from deep in the second half. While 38.5% is nothing to crow about, It’s better than the 20% (3-15) from the first half. Sam Hauser and Al Horford each hit a couple of 3-pointers, so maybe there's an upswing coming?

TURNING POINT

I’m tempted to go with the second quarter of the game when the Pacers had the Celtics looking like an AAU team on their way to a 30-point lead, but I’ll go with the end of the third quarter instead. The Celtics had cut it to 11 and forced a turnover with 56.7 seconds left. Malcolm Brogdon went with a quick 3-for-2 shot*, which he missed. Oshae Brissett and Tatum traded 3-pointers, but then Duarte hit two 3-pointers, separated by a pair of Tatum free throws, to help Indiana take a 15-point lead into the fourth. 

Asked after the game whether that stretch was deflating, Brogdon said, “absolutely. Absolutely. That’s the problem with digging yourself such a hole. You’re making a run, you’re down 30, you get down nine or 10, but the likelihood of them missing 10, 15 shots in a row is low. They are going to make some shots, and some of them end up being daggers in the last couple of minutes.”

*3-for-2 is like a 2-for-1 on steroids. We know 2-for-1 is when you have possession late in a quarter with about 40 seconds left, you get a shot up with about 32-35 seconds left in order to get the ball back for one more shot at the end of the quarter. A 3-for-2 basically adds another possession by taking a shot somewhere around a minute left. A 3-for-2 eliminates the other team from getting the 2-for-1. 

Side note: I’m not a fan of these 3-for-2 or 2-for-1 shots when they are forced. There's no point in taking them if they're not good looks because they might as well be turnovers, in my opinion. 

THREE UP

Jayson Tatum: 41 points (13-25 fg, 4-11 3pt, 11-13 ft), 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block. The bulk of his work was done after halftime when he hulked up and nearly brought the Celtics all the way back. Getting to the line 13 times is a very welcome sight for Boston. 

Robert Williams: He was bumped up to 22 minutes in this game after a pair of 17-minute stints against Orlando. He was key to keeping a lot of second-half possessions alive (12 rebounds, 7 offensive). So far, he’s acclimating well in his return.

Sam Hauser: Yeah, he was a -20 and he was on the floor for a lot of Boston’s worst, but I don’t think a lot of that was his fault. I’m going to focus on the 2-4 from 3 because that shooting touch needs to come back. 

THREE DOWN

Jaylen Brown: I don’t know what’s going on with him right now. When I watch him play, I see someone trying to do too much and it’s hurting him. He’s over-dribbling and getting himself into trouble. He has 16 turnovers in three games on this homestand. Where Tatum needs to be ultra-aggressive, Brown needs to dial it back a notch and realize he’s at his best when he’s under more control.

Derrick White: Did someone put a hex on him? My old Greek mom would look at how he’s playing and say someone put the evil eye on him. Do I need to call her up and find out how to fix that? He was 0-for-7 from the field, and he’s only made 2 field goals in this homestand so far. He’s 2-19 in 3 games, including 0-12 from 3. Wow. 

Payton Pritchard: He got the start and I thought it would be a great opportunity for him to play off the starters and find some great looks. He was 1-4, and while he had 4 assists, he was a non-factor. 

TOP PLAYS

ONE TAKE KARALIS WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

- “Bad” teams are better than they used to be: This is a message to everyone -- the team, the fans, myself -- below .500 teams are not as bad as we all remember them. Matt Moore, who covers the Denver Nuggets and the NBA for Action Network, cited a telling stat on Tuesday’s Locked On NBA podcast: Since 2003 (not including this season), above .500 teams have beaten below .500 teams 70% of the time. This season, however, they're winning only 56% of the time. And that number might have even dipped lower over the past couple of nights. 

It’s a reminder to fans (and analysts) that losses to these teams aren’t the blood-curdling messes they used to be. The Pacers have Tyrese Haliburton, who is an All-Star candidate. They have Myles Turner, who could get Defensive Player of the Year votes. They have Bennedict Mathurin, a Rookie of the Year candidate. They have a championship-winning coach in Rick Carlisle (who happens to have a ring in Boston as a player as well).

They're a decent team. And more so, this should have been a message that the Celtics have learned by now. The Orlando Magic had a bad record, but they weren’t pushovers. The Pacers had a mediocre record, but they weren’t doormats. The Minnesota Timberwolves won’t come in and roll over either. 

If Boston is going to snap out of this thing, they have to start taking everyone they play seriously. They are going to get everyone’s best as it is. If they relax and think an 8-2 or 11-5 run to start a game is enough to force an opponent to genuflect and skulk away, they have another thing coming. 

At some point they need to get this message through their heads. There are no nights off in this league anymore. Anyone taking teams lightly in today’s NBA will pay dearly for it. 

Next up: The Celtics host the Minnesota Timberwolves Friday night at 7:30