Preview: Boston Celtics look to end skid against Indiana Pacers
By Jeremy Karll
The Boston Celtics are currently on a four game losing streak, their longest of the season. Boston has also lost six of their last seven games, including home losses to the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers. It has been a brutal start to the new year for the Celtics as they have fallen to 10th in the Eastern Conference and third in the division. Boston may also fall to under .500 if they lose to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.
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It has been the opposite story for Indiana. The return of superstar Paul George this season has helped Indiana return to their normal level of play (22-16 record). With a win tonight they would tie the Chicago Bulls for second in the Central Division.
Even with the Celtics playing so poorly as of late, Isaiah Thomas has continued his All-Star level play. Thomas has scored 69 points over the past two games and is 14th in the NBA averaging 21.4 points per game. He will be challenged tonight though as the Pacers are sixth in the NBA as they only allow 98.2 points per game.
Indiana will be without guard Rodney Stuckey tonight. Stuckey injured his foot last night in their blowout win over the Phoenix Suns. He has been the team’s sixth man this year; averaging 25.0 minutes per game, 9.8 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game and 2.6 assists per game. Glen Robinson III and Chase Budinger should have bigger roles for the Pacers tonight.
Both teams played last night, so it should be clear early which team has the fresher legs. Boston played in a tough game, but fell short 120-114 to the New York Knicks. On the other hand, the Pacers blew out the Suns 116-97 and were able to rest their starters at the end.
Paul George only saw 27 minutes of action last night, since the end of the bench guys got a little run at the end of last night’s game for the Pacers. Isaiah Thomas however played 35 minutes and Jae Crowder, who will most likely guard George, played 34 minutes.
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Crowder has become one of the best wing defenders in the NBA this season. He averages 1.8 steals per game and has started to become more consistent on the offensive side as well. He will have his hands full once again against George. In the first two match-ups this season, George has scored 26 points in each game, both Indiana wins.
The X-factor in this game is Marcus Smart. He has dealt with injuries this season but still has yet to find his footing in the NBA. He has struggled this season once again and Boston is getting tired of his poor play. The Celtics even went a little crazy having him guard Kristaps Porzingis last night.
Over the past six games, Smart is back to playing around 25 minutes per game as the team’s main backup guard. He has yet to deliver however.
Smart has just two double-digit scoring games since returning from injury and shot a dreadful 1-10 against the Detroit Pistons a couple of games back. He is also shooting only 27.5 percent from the field and 16.7 percent from behind the arc over the team’s last six games.
Even though the scoring hasn’t been there, Smart has played better defense as of late and his rebounding numbers have gone up as well. He should be able to capitalize against the Pacers’ bench guards tonight with Stuckey out.
This is a winnable game for Boston, and they need to end this losing streak quickly. Indiana always plays with great defensive intensity and if the Celtics can’t match that then it will be a long night for them. They have struggled defensively recently, letting the Knicks score 120 last night and blowing a second half lead to the Memphis Grizzlies, thanks to a 63 point second half by Memphis.
It’s rare to see a Brad Stevens coached team play like this, but the Celtics have proven they are a playoff caliber team this season. The Pacers will be in the playoffs this year and this is a good measuring stick game for the team.