Indiana PacersOpen full analysis
Boston CelticsOpen full analysis
The Boston Celtics defeated the Indiana Pacers 119–104 on January 21 at TD Garden, holding their opponent well below the Vegas total of 225.5 points combined. Jayson Brown led Boston with 30 points while Sam Hauser added 17, as the Celtics shot 47.7 percent from the field and made 12 three-pointers to control the tempo. Indiana's Pascal Siakam scored a game-high 32 points with Jalen Walker contributing 19, but the Pacers struggled offensively, connecting on just 39.4 percent of their attempts despite matching Boston's three-point output at 12 made. Boston's defense was suffocating, posting a 99.9 defensive rating compared to Indiana's 120.2, and the Celtics dominated the second quarter with 36 points to establish early separation. The Pacers mounted a third-quarter surge with 32 points but couldn't overcome the deficit, finishing with 31 assists on 104 points—a ball-movement advantage that proved insufficient against Boston's balanced attack. The loss continues a challenging stretch for Indiana, while Boston's defensive efficiency reinforces their Eastern Conference credentials.
