Boston Celtics Continue Playoff Push With Win Over Pacers
Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
100. 93. 18. Final. 89
The Boston Celtics earned a season-high fourth straight victory on Saturday night against the Indiana Pacers. Tyler Zeller netted a team-high 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds, propelling his team to a 93-89 victory at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Boston looked like the superior team for large stretches of play, but the Pacers put Brad Stevens’ club to the test, forcing them to grind out a hard-fought in front of a raucous crowd.
The Celtics built up several leads throughout the game, only to see them erased by Indiana’s gritty play. They initially grabbed control of the contest after going on a 17-4 run that started in the first quarter and ended in the second. They led 32-20 when it came to a close.
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In the fourth, the Pacers battled back from what had been a 15-point deficit, but the Celtics stayed focused, picked up the hustle and handed the opposition their first loss in seven games. Indiana cut the score to 91-89 with 5.8 seconds left to play. It was the closest they would get. Brandon Bass nailed a pair of free throws afterward to seal the game for Boston.
Jae Crowder, Avery Bradley and Bass each joined Zeller in double-digit scoring, tallying 16 points apiece. George Hill led the way for the Pacers with 30 points. Big man Roy Hibbert was held to just five points and he found himself riding the pine for extended periods of time.
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Boston, now winners of six of their last seven games, sit just a half game out a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They have won nine of 12 dating back to February 23.
Once again playing without Isaiah Thomas, the Celtics closed out a back-to-back with a pair of wins. They knocked off the Orlando Magic on Friday night.
They are now 9-5 this season when playing in the second game of a back-to-back.
The Celtics will next be in action on Monday night against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Garden.