Pacers face Boston after earning first win of the year
In the second back-to-back contest of the year, the Indiana Pacers face the Celtics just one night removed from the first win of the season against Detroit.
WHO: Indiana Pacers (1-3) v. Boston Celtics (1-2)
WHEN: Tonight at 7 pm ET / 6 pm CT
WHERE: Bankers Life Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, IN)
TV: Fox Sports Indiana
RADIO: 1070 the Fan
STREAM: Fox Sports Go and on the FSGO app
The Pacers
After earning the first win of the season last night against Detroit, it’s a quick turnaround tonight at home against the Celtics.
Indiana earned their win the right way with small ball last night, and despite not being able to contain Andre Drummond as effectively as they would have hoped looked pretty good on the defensive end of the floor.
Tonight will mainly be about how quickly the team can turn the tide and whether that first win can provide a momentum boost, however big or small, for the rest of the year. Hopefully guys like Joseph Young and Solomon Hill can see some time on the floor, but look for Paul George to keep the show rolling.
The Celtics
Boston comes in somewhat surprisingly at 1-2, though to be fair their lone win is over Philadelphia and their losses are to Toronto, projected for the two-seed in the East, and the San Antonio Spurs, almost always a lock in the West.
Isaiah Thomas leads the storied franchise in scoring at the moment at 22.3 points per game, but there is quite some separation between him and the second and third leaders, Amir Johnson and Marcus Smart, who are both posting 12 points per game.
The Celtics haven’t shot the ball particularly well in their first few games (sound familiar?) but still are right around the middle of the pack in points per game.
Indiana has an opportunity to stay small tonight if they choose to do so.
Next: Pacers make it happen behind small ball in Detroit
Though Indiana will be looking to rest some after a night out in Detroit, it’s important for them to keep the focus with fresh legs at the beginning of the year. Regardless, tonight will be another tough test against a projected playoff team, tipoff is scheduled for 7 pm ET.