The Boston Celtics battled the Indiana Pacers for the second time this week on Friday, and the rematch followed a similar script. The Celtics fell behind early, only to storm back and win behind another big game from Jaylen Brown.
Four days after erasing a 20-point deficit and beating the Pacers 103-95 at TD Garden, Boston overcame another double-digit deficit on Friday, blowing out Indiana 140-122 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Whereas the Celtics waited until the second half and the fourth quarter specifically to mount their comeback on Monday, this time they did so in the second quarter. After ending the first quarter down 11, Boston erupted for 47 points in the second quarter and never looked back, cruising to their fourth straight victory.
Brown led the Celtics with 30 points, reaching that benchmark for the eighth straight game. That’s the second-longest streak in team history, trailing only Larry Bird’s nine consecutive 30-point games from 40 years ago.
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Brown, who also had four steals on defense, had plenty of help on offense. Payton Pritchard scored 29 points, Sam Hauser had 23 and Derrick White had 21. The 23 points were a season high for Hauser, who also matched his season high with seven 3-pointers.
Luka Garza stayed hot off the bench with 15 points and a plus-26 in 27 minutes.
Friday’s rout kicks off a five-game road trip for Boston, which improved to 19-11. The Celtics continue their West Coast swing on Sunday against the Portland Trail Blazers, where Brown will look to match Bird’s record and help extend Boston’s winning streak.
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Featured image via Bob DeChiara/Imagn Images
