With all the trade rumors surrounding the Boston Celtics last night, I almost forgot we had a game tonight! Our Celtics took on the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Jan 9, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) blocks the shot of Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (11) in the fourth quarter of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana Pacers beat the Boston Celtics in OT by the score of 107 to 103. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
This was a classic 2014-2015 Celtics game. Meaning, we didn’t show up until our backs were against the wall. This was evident by the play from our Celtics in the first half. The Celtics shot an abysmal 25% in the first half, and ended up 39% from the field for the whole game. We also decided to shoot our way in and out of the game, making only 10 of 34 three-point attempts. In short, the offense was TERRIBLE tonight and we were down 37-46 at the half.
Third quarter begins, and Evan Turner, Kelly Olynyk, and Avery Bradley carried the offense. With those three carrying our struggling offense, we actually outscored Indiana 23-19 in the third. Turner also wins the most unique statistics award tongiht: 9 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists. Those stats remind me of Rajon Rondo…until I saw that Turner shot a ugly 3-15 from the field.
Despite all the ugliness from both teams in the fourth quarter, offense was actually played in the fourth. Three pointers were dropping on both sides. Marcus Smart had 3 three-pointers to help bring the Celtics all the way back, and Avery Bradley hit a CLUTCH three pointer via Jared Sullinger’s dish with four seconds remaining to send the game into OT.
Jan 9, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) shoots the tying three pointer over Indiana Pacers guard Rodney Stuckey (2) in the fourth quarter of the game as time expires at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana Pacers beat the Boston Celtics in OT by the score of 107 to 103. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
OT on the other hand, was dominated by Indiana and David West. West scored 5 of the Pacer’s 13 points in overtime. The Celtics ended up losing, 103 – 107. If you missed the game checkout the video recap below-
What can we take away from this game? Not too much. The Celtics went on the road against a middle-of-the-pack Pacers team. 30 mins before the game they were told two trades went down and that surely distracted everybody in a Celtics uniform. Due to the distraction their heads weren’t focused on the game, they dug an early hole, but they finally gained some Tommy Points in the second half. Showing their Celtic pride and clawing their way back by forcing overtime. It could have been worse…
One thing I definitely don’t want to see again, and Coach Brad Stevens better make sure this doesn’t happen again, is to NEVER see a starting line-up of Turner, Bradley, Crowder, Sullinger, and Zeller…NEVER AGAIN, there is too much young talent on this roster Brad Stevens!