The hero against the Celtics, Pascal Siakam picked up his third straight win

Broadcast on national television, this Pacers – Celtics obviously suffering from the absences of Tyrese Halliburton and Jayson Tatum, but also Jaylen Brown, injured in the back.

Grace for Indianawhich relied on Jay Huff (20 points) and “game winner” by Pascal Sakak (21 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists) with 6.1 seconds left in the layup Payton Pritchard (23 points, 8 assists) et Bostonand then pocketed the victory (98-96).

This third success in a row, the Pacers did not steal it. Long in control in this part, thanks to incredible 3-point skills and Jay Huff who is often left alone behind the arc, but also comfortable breaking the circle on ” reverse dunk “, they were in the lead for more than half the time.

It stands out especially in the third quarter, with 20-4 to start the period, managed by the seeded Indiana. Alongside Jay Huff’s spontaneity, Pascal Siakam’s aggressiveness and Andrew Nembhardt’s altruism, as well as their collective discipline (no fouls for fifteen minutes!), got Rick Carlisle’s men going after the break.

Not one to quit, the Celtics managed to get back within one possession, with the heat on a somewhat lonely Peyton Pritchard, but the lead didn’t change sides. At best, Derrick White reset the counter to zero with 29 seconds left (96-96), but Pascal Siakam answered him on the next possession, and then the same White missed the last shot, for the win.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Indiana has the worst record in the league. After their thirteen straight losses, the Pacers have returned to three games. Which allows them to no longer own the worst record in the entire NBA, which is now held by the Pelicans: 9-32 against 9-31. Enough to bring morale back to a group that has clearly not been spared since the start of the season, but remains capable of taking down big teams when the stars align and the team stays true to its principles. Namely, fight for all the balls, exert great defensive pressure and move the ball.

Boston is burdened by its clumsiness. Sans Jailen Brown, reprimanded moments earlier by the NBAThe Celtics expected to suffer in Indianapolis, even against a struggling team, and they did. Unlike usual, they did not adjust their shots from a distance, receiving almost twice as many 3-point baskets. Not exactly clean with the ball in hand, especially in the third quarter, Joe Mazzula’s men somehow allowed themselves to be lulled by their opponents and their dominance inside was not enough to make up for all their collective failings.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.