Pacers at Celtics
THE STORY: After opening the season with a string of soft opponents
en route to a 4-1 record, the Indiana Pacers stepped up in class
Wednesday – and promptly got stepped on. The Pacers fell behind by 29
points at halftime and were blown out by the Miami Heat 118-83. Making
the loss even more embarrassing was the fact that the Heat played
without All-Star guard Dwyane Wade. “We beat the teams we're supposed to
beat. We had a challenge and we didn't step up to it, and they didn't
even have one of their best players on the court,” Pacers forward Danny
Granger said. “It's back to the drawing board. We've got to learn from
it and move on.” Indiana gets a chance for redemption when it visits the
Boston Celtics on Friday. The Celtics have won four straight, although
the competition also has been suspect.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Indiana, CS New England (Boston)
ABOUT THE PACERS (4-2):
Center Roy Hibbert was the only player to show against Miami, posting a
double-double with a team-high 16 points and 12 rebounds. The former
Georgetown standout has seen his scoring and rebound totals rise in each
of his four seasons. The 7-foot-2 Hibbert is averaging 13.2 points,
10.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks. Indiana needs to get Granger untracked. He
is shooting 31.7 percent from the floor. His previous career low is
42.4 percent.
ABOUT THE CELTICS: (4-3): After sitting out
the first three games – all losses – because of a bruised heel, Paul
Pierce looks to be back in form. He scored a season-high 24 points in
Wednesday’s 89-70 win over New Jersey. Boston was without guard Ray
Allen, who missed the game because of illness and is questionable for
Friday. Reserve forward Brandon Bass continues to be a key contributor.
He had 15 points and tied a career high with 13 rebounds against New
Jersey.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Celtics have beaten the Pacers seven straight times in Boston.
2. Boston leads the league in 3-point shooting (46.7 percent) and Indiana ranks third (40.6).