They didn't get it.
The Celtics had no answers defensively as the Pacers ran away in the fourth quarter with a 113-104 victory at Conseco Fieldhouse.
The Celtics' offense wasn't much better, shooting 48 percent from the field, 25 percent from 3-point range and 74 percent from the free-throw line.
Pacers 113, Celtics 104
Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Ind.
Nov. 14, 2009
Headliner: Danny Granger isn't in the upper echelon of star NBA players, but if his play on Saturday night is any indication, he's not that far behind. Granger was unstoppable against the C's, scoring 29 points on 8-of-16 shooting, including 6-of-9 from 3-point range and 7-for-7 from the free-throw line.
Granger added six rebounds, four rebounds, three steals and a block.
Unsung Hero: Despite their offensive struggles, the Celtics performed well offensively. Six Celtics were in double-digits, with Ray Allen leading the charge with 24 points. It was Kendrick Perkins, however, who was the star for the Celtics, pulling down 13 rebounds, scoring 10 points and making a pair of blocks in the losing effort.
Scrub: In the final stat line for Rasheed Wallace, there were a whole lot of zeroes.
Wallace, who was assessed a technical foul in the first half, finished with zero rebounds, zero assists, zero steals and zero blocks. He scored four points and missed his two 3-point attempts in his worst outing yet as a Celtic.
Turning Point: The Celtics came charging out of the gate in the fourth, but the Pacers responded in a big way. Leading by six with 4:54 left on the clock, Granger pulled up from 25 feet and buried a three.
The Celtics still had a chance after that, but the 105-96 lead proved to be enough for the Pacers.
Up Next: The Celtics will have a few days to rest their legs — a luxury that the team doesn't take for granted. On Wednesday night, the Celtics will host the Golden State Warriors. Last season, the teams split their two-game series, with the home team winning each game.
