Three Studs, Two Duds As Pacers Respond To Outclass Celtics

The Boston Celtics continued their homestand Sunday evening by losing 123-114 to the Indiana Pacers at TD Garden.

Boston fell to 23-9 while Indiana improved to 16-17.

The Celtics caught fire in Friday’s 142-105 win over the Pacers. Indiana took its turn to spark a run early Sunday evening headlined by a 38-point second quarter to control the offensive tempo that Boston could not overcome. The Celtics have now lost four of their last six games and dropped the season series to Indiana.

Here are three studs and two duds from the Celtics’ loss.

STUDS
Jaylen Brown
Brown came out rolling in yet another impact start for the Celtics. He’s been outstanding in the first half in recent games, which continued Sunday evening. Brown poured in 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting during the first half for the Celtics.

Brown finished with 31 points on the night.

Payton Pritchard
The Sixth Man of the Year candidate found a rhythm from the floor with five three-pointers in the first half, igniting the Celtics offense after a hot Indiana start in the latest meetings.

Pritchard drained five of his six attempts from deep in a 21-point performance for the Celtics.

Derrick White
White also turned in an efficient night for the Celtics with 17 points on 7-of-15 shooting from the field.

DUDS
Jayson Tatum
Tatum did not light up the stat sheet in the first half and struggled from the field with just five points at halftime.

The Celtics star did make a few needed plays down the stretch, specifically converting an and-one opportunity to cut the deficit to two with under eight minutes remaining. Tatum still finished with

Boston’s first-half defense
Indiana shot 58% from the field in the first half and maintained that mark into the fourth quarter. The Pacers flipped the script from Friday’s game and set the tone with improved transition offense and efficient shooting.

Boston allowed 120 points or more for the fifth time this season.