Tyrese Haliburton netted 31 points as the Indiana Pacers bounced back from a 37-point defeat to the Boston Celtics two nights before, winning the rematch 123-114 on Sunday night.
Andrew Nembhard returned after sitting out Friday’s game due to knee tendinitis, contributing 17 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists for the Pacers. Pascal Siakam added another 17 points, while Bennedict Mathurin scored 14.
Jaylen Brown topped the Celtics’ scoring with 31 points and six assists. Jayson Tatum recorded 22 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Payton Pritchard contributed 21 points, and Derrick White chipped in with 17.
This marks the Celtics’ sixth loss at home this season. Last season, they posted a remarkable 37-4 record at TD Garden during the regular season and went 9-2 in the playoffs on their way to the NBA championship.
Following a humiliating defeat, coach Rick Carlisle aimed for his team to respond with a strong start. The Pacers emphasised attacking the basket rather than settling for jump shots, outscoring Boston 66-48 in the paint to compensate for the absence of injured forward Obi Toppin.
After enjoying an easy victory on Friday with 23 three-pointers made, they struggled this game, hitting only 16 of 54 from long range and missing starters Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis.
The Celtics narrowed an 11-point deficit to 105-103 thanks to Tatum’s three-point play with 7:38 remaining, but the Pacers quickly responded with a 13-point run over nearly two minutes to regain control.
The Pacers will take on the Bucks at home on Tuesday afternoon, while the Celtics are set to face the Raptors at home the same day.
