The Indiana Pacers seemingly couldn’t miss in the fourth quarter, downing the Boston Celtics 122-117 despite 44 points and 7 assists from All-NBA guard Kemba Walker.
With Indiana guard Aaron Holiday scoring 11 of his 18 total on the night in the fourth quarter, the Celtics dropped just their second game in eight to one of the East’s ascendent teams, with the Pacers having won seven of their last ten games as well.
Struggling to close out a feisty opponent in the absence of Marcus Smart, who sat a second consecutive game with an eye infection, Boston now falls to third in the East behind the 18-6 Miami Heat.
If you missed it, Gordon Hayward's done for the night after getting hit in the nose. Here's the play. #Celtics pic.twitter.com/tB3CUeyz1r
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) December 12, 2019
Forward Gordon Hayward was hit hard in the face in the fourth, and exited the game to go through the NBA’s concussion protocol; at present the recently-returned swingman appears to escaped yet another injury.
Third-year swingman Jayson Tatum shot 4-of-13 from the floor on the night, which didn’t help the Celtics in a game that came down to the wire.
The game was close throughout most of the contest, with the Pacers needing an outstanding fourth quarter to steal the win.
The late defensive effort put the clamps on an uninspired Boston offense, forcing four straight turnovers while Aaron’s older brother, guard Justin Holiday, combined to score three consecutive buckets early in the final frame, securing Indiana the win.
Justin Holiday hits a 3 to give the Pacers a 5-pt lead late in the 4th (Drain of the Game is presented by John’s Sewer & Drain Cleaning) pic.twitter.com/gqvpW6wc8s
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) December 12, 2019
Justin joined his brother in double-digit scoring for the Pacers with 17 and 6 boards on the night, big man Domantas Sabonis added 15 points, 14 boards and 8 assists.
Swingman TJ Warren added 14 points, and 2017 Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon led all Indiana players with 29 points and 8 assists on his birthday.
Jaylen Brown continued his strong play, logging 18 points and 8 rebounds before fouling out late in the fourth quarter in Wednesday night’s loss.
A feat that was also accomplished by center Daniel Theis, who had 11 points and 6 boards to go with as many fouls.
Kemba on scoring 44: “I felt pretty good, I guess. But it really don’t matter. We lost.”
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) December 12, 2019
Despite his off-shooting night, Tatum put up a healthy 16 points and 6 rebounds against Indiana, and Pitt product Brad Wanamaker had 12 points and 6 boards off the bench for the Celtics.
Boston next faces the Philadelphia 76ers at home tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 12 in what could be something of a revenge match for the 107-93 drubbing the Celtics received at the hand of Philly on opening night.
With Smart a strong possibility to return to action and a favorable crowd behind them, the team could make a quick exit from the loss column with a win over a resurgent 76ers, who have won their last three games.