Pacers at Celtics
The Boston Celtics look to end a three-game home losing skid when they face the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. The Celtics have won two of their last three — both on the road — and are coming off a crucial 116-104 victory over the Charlotte Hornets to move within a half-game of the eighth and final playoff spot. Boston won 10 games in March, which is the most of any month this season, and hopes to post its eighth victory in its last 10 games against fellow Eastern Conference rivals.
Indiana looks to stay in the hunt for the final playoff spot in the East following a disappointing 111-106 setback to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday. The Pacers have dropped eight of their last 10 to fall 1 1/2 games off the pace in the race for the eighth seed. Indiana has lost four of its last five road games, with its last three defeats coming by a combined 12 points during that span, and hopes to turn its fortunes around by beating the Celtics for the sixth time in the last eight meetings.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBATV, FSN Indiana, CSN New England (Boston)
ABOUT THE PACERS (32-42): George Hill drained four 3-pointers en route to a game-high 28 points as Indiana went 12-of-23 from beyond the arc in the loss to the Nets. C.J. Miles, who scored 28 points in a win over the Mavericks on Sunday, played six minutes before leaving the game with a sprained right ankle and his status is unknown for Wednesday. Indiana coach Frank Vogel was assessed a technical foul late in the fourth quarter and leads all coaches with 11 this season.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (33-41): Avery Bradley led the way with 30 points and eight rebounds in the win over the Hornets to finish in double figures for the 12th time in his last 13 games. "We were executing our plays and just making shots," Bradley told reporters. "That makes it easier on everyone because you're not out there thinking and you're just out there playing and making the right plays." Marcus Smart tallied 14 points, six rebounds and four assists versus Charlotte after being held scoreless on 0-of-6 shooting in his previous game against the Clippers.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The last three games in the series have been decided by a combined 11 points.
2. The Pacers have scored 100 or more points in a season-best six consecutive games.
3. The Celtics have split their last eight home games.