Pacers Put A Pasting On The Celtics 95-79

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap

The Indiana Pacers dropped the hammer on the Boston Celtics Saturday night 95-79. The Pacers blew the defending NBA Champions out in the first quarter, and the “Green Team” could never recover. Forward Danny Granger, who has played strong so far in the young NBA season, led the Pacers with 20 points, to the roar of the crowd at Canseco Fieldhouse.

The Celtics looked like the team that played in the first two rounds of the Eastern Conference Playoffs, last Spring. A team that was unbeatable at home, but could not win on the road. It is far too early after just three total games and one road game to even think about trends. However if Boston wants to make it back to the NBA Finals, they want to get this monkey off their back early in the campaign.

Indiana came out on fire in the first quarter, while the Celtics were ice cold. The results were Boston finding themselves trailing the Pacers 27-17 at the end of the quarter. The Celtics were able to shave the deficit down to single digits, as Indiana led 48-41 at the half. The Pacers increased their lead in the as Boston’s scoring drought continued, the home team went into the fourth quarter up 69-58. Boston was never a threat in the final quarter.

Four of the five Pacers starters were in double digits, as Granger led the way with 20 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 steal, 1 assist. T.J. Ford scored 19 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, Marquis Daniels recorded a double-double, scoring 13 points, 10 boards, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks. Jarrett Jack came off the bench and scored 11 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, Troy Murphy scored 10 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals.

Boston had two players who registered double-doubles. The “Big Ticket” Kevin Garnett scored 18 points, grabbed 14 boards, 1 block, 1 steal, 1 assist. Paul Pierce scored 15 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, Tony Allen came off the pine and scored 14 points, 1 rebound, 1 block. Ray Allen scored 10 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal. Indiana evens its record to 1-1, Boston is now 2-1.

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