By Darryl Harding Sr-
After an incredible first half offensive barrage, the Celtics broke a record with 81 points in the first two quarters, leading the Pacers by 15. Despite stellar production, Jason Tatum (30 pts,) Jaylen Brown (25 pts) and Derrick White (24 pts,) somehow the Pacers managed to come back in the second half and with 5:22 left in the third, the score was tied at 91.
Having all five starters and two bench players in double figures, Aaron Nesmith (26 pts,) Indiana forced their way back into a game which should have been a blowout. Constantly crashing the boards the Celtics relentlessly ripped rebounds and block shots but defensively, left a lot to be desired.
“They came out, second half on a different level,” said Kristaps Porzingis in reference to the Pacers’ third quarter, outscoring Boston by 12. Although scoring a season high 81 in the first half, fourth highest in team history, the Celtics allowed the Pacers to accumulate 77 points combined in the second and third quarter.
The slackness on defense unfortunately, reminds us of a sour time in last season’s playoff run, where turnovers and lack of solid defense caused Boston to lose home games that should have been won.
Even considering the 12 rebounds from Porzingis, Boston was out rebounded offensively and allowed the Pacers to climb back in the game. In the end the Celtics prevailed, due mainly to six steals and nine block shots, which left the Pacers down by five with a final score of 129-124.
A win is a win but the second half production does give pause, considering the Pacers main scorer Tyrese Halliburton was limited to 22 minutes. The Celtics must make sure that the Big C does not stand for complacency.