By DJ Harding
The Boston Celtics played the second of a two game series in Indiana versus the Pacers. The Celtics won the first matchup 118-101 this past Saturday behind Jayson Tatum’s 38 points and 13 rebounds. Tatum wouldn’t play in Monday’s matchup resting from a left ankle sprain.
The Celtics held a slim one point lead after the first quarter 34-33. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 12 points while Indiana saw Benedict Mathurin score 13 points.
Midway through the second quarter Tyrese Haliburton slipped and injured his hamstring and didn’t return in the contest. Halliburton’s night ended early with seven points and six assists in 13 minutes of action.
Boston’s lead extended from one to nine going into halftime going up 68-59. Brown led all scorers with 25 points at halftime.
Indiana took the lead at the end of the third quarter leading 103-101. The Pacers outscored the Celtics 44-33 in the third. They game stayed close all the way until the final seconds which is when the game took a turn for the Celtics.
First in a tie game at 131, Jaylen Brown with three seconds left took a jump shot with Buddy Hield guarding him. The ref proceeded to call a foul which was then challenged by the Pacers and overturned. Indiana then got the ball and in the final seconds ran a play in which the ball was given to Benedict Mathurin.
Mathurin took a shot which Kristaps Porzingis contested and saw a foul get called. Despite a challenge by the Celtics, the call wasn’t overturned, giving Mathurin three free throws and a 133-131 win to the Indiana Pacers.
Mathurin finished with 26 points which was the highest scorer for the Pacers in what improves them to 21-15. Indiana goes back in action Wednesday versus the Washington Wizards.
Brown ended his night with a season high 40 points in what was Boston’s eighth loss of the season. The Boston Celtics will travel back home to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 PM EST.