Boston Celtics outlast Pacers: 3 takaways from OT thriller in Indiana

By Zachary McMahon | Feb 24, 2023

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 23: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics attempts a shot while being guarded by Jordan Nwora #13 of the Indiana Pacers in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 23, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

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Boston Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Boston Celtics had a full lineup Thursday night

For only the second time this season, the full Celtics starting lineup was in the game. The starting lineup of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Robert Williams III, and Al Horford all started this game. Their other start this season was on the January 19 NBA Finals rematch win against the Golden State Warriors.

The Celtics have been dealing with the injury bug with at least one of these starters had to miss this game, and the Celtics were even shorthanded at certain games but Joe Mazzulla was able to pull these games off with the different lineups each game.

Also, the bench was healthy too, and it showed on the parquet. Brogdon lead the charge on the bench with 24 points against his former team. Derrick White, who is back in the bench for the first time since the injuries of Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown, scored 17 points. In the starting lineup, Smart had 15 points and more on Brown and Tatum later.

Hopefully, this entire lineup is healthy for the rest of the season leading up to the Playoffs, which would be crucial if they want to make another run to the NBA Finals, and to win it all. For the rest of the season, they only have four back-to-back days, which the next one will be against the Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers on March 5 and 6.

This was the lineup that carried the Celtics to the Finals and the Celtics are hungry for another NBA Finals championship, as if they have enough with their 17 championships.

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