Indiana Pacers blown out by Boston Celtics for first road loss of 2023-24 season
The Indiana Pacers took on the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night, and it was going to be a tough one for the blue and gold. Boston is an excellent team, and the Pacers were without star guard Tyrese Haliburton due to an ankle injury.
Despite the tough circumstances, Indiana started off strong. They scored on each of their first three possessions, and an Obi Toppin steal led to a Bennedict Mathurin layup to give the Pacers a quick 6-4 lead. It was an impressive start.
Then, it all fell apart. In response to the Pacers lead, Boston showed their talent. Four different Celtics players scored in the next 81 seconds as they went on a 10-0 run, which prompted a Pacers timeout. A quick, exciting start by the blue and gold was quickly erased.
The Pacers turned to their bench early and brought in Aaron Nesmith and Buddy Hield in an attempt to steady the ship. Indiana's depth was going to have to be a huge advantage against Boston's top-heavy team.
After an initially-strong run from the bench, the Cetlics responded again. It was 26-20 at one point during the quarter, but Boston closed on an 18-7 run and led by 17 after 12 minutes.
The Pacers missed all seven of their three-point attempts in the first quarter, so they were down big despite shooting 13/18 from inside the arc. They needed to shoot better if they were going to come back.
That didn't happen as the second quarter began. Boston kept rolling and Indiana kept missing. The Pacers defense looked helpless as the Celtics took a 20-point lead with 7:11 to go in the second quarter.
Indiana had few answers. They tried different lineups, including Ben Sheppard getting a rotation look for the first time of the season, but few of them were successful.
At halftime, the Celtics led 75-54. They were dominating the Pacers, and Andrew Nembhard was the only member of the blue and gold with double-digit points.
The third quarter opened with a 12-1 Boston run to get the lead over 30. The game was already as good as done. The home team was far better and showed it at every moment.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle turned to an offense-heavy group just a few minutes into the second half, putting Hield and Jordan Nwora in to attempt a comeback.
It didn't help raise the Pacers level. Boston couldn't be stopped and Indiana struggled to buy a bucket. It was a beatdown.
The final frame featured a ton of minutes for each team's reserves. Despite the change in who was on the court, the same story continued. Halfway through the quarter, the Pacers had been outscored 22-16 in the final frame. They were getting outclassed all night.
Lottery pick Jarace Walker was making nice plays in the frame, which was maybe the only bright spot for the blue and gold all night. He was productive and finished with eight points, two rebounds, and three assists.
It didn't do anything to change the result, which was a 155-104 win for Boston. The Pacers fell to 2-2 on the season.
T.J. McConnell led the Pacers with 18 points, and he added seven rebounds and five assists. Nembhard had 14 points, and Toppin climbed over double figures with 11. Indiana shot 5/37 from three.
The blue and gold next host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday in their first In-Season tournament game.
- Tyrese Haliburton's series of mini-victories, including over a heckler, guide Indiana Pacers to win vs Cavaliers. CLICK HERE.
- Source: Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle agrees to contract extension. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers unveil new court for 2023-24 In-Season Tournament games. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers stumble late and drop first game of 2023-24 season to Chicago Bulls. CLICK HERE.
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