Boston Celtics: Takeaways from Loss to Indiana Pacers

Nov 11, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) grimaces as he dives for a loose ball during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers at TD Garden. The Indiana Pacers won 102-91. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

The Pacers really have the Celtics’ number this year. The Indiana Pacers defeated the Boston Celtics 102-91 in the second of the four-games in the season series. The Celtics dropped under .500 to 3-4, while the Pacers moved to 5-4. The Celtics lost the first game to the Pacers last week in Indiana 100-98.

The Celtics trailed by two at halftime 51-49, but they came out hot to start the third quarter. Evan Turner and Jared Sullinger led the Celtics on a brief 9-2 run to begin the quarter, putting the Celtics ahead by 7, which was the team’s biggest lead of the game. However, Boston’s shooting went cold and the team fell behind again.

Marcus Smart returned after missing three games with a toe injury, but the team was without Avery Bradley who missed his first game of the year. Bradley suffered a leg injury in Tuesday’s game against the Bucks and did not play the entire second half.

The Celtics made it interesting early in the fourth quarter after rookies Terry Rozier and R.J. Hunter hit back-to-back baskets, putting the Celtics only behind by two points. Sadly that was the closest the Celtics could get to completing a comeback in the fourth.

Here are the three takeaways from Boston’s fourth loss of the season.

Next: Takeaway Number One