Celts Bounce Back, Top Indiana 95-83
Paul Pierce scored a game-high 21 points, making 8 of 14 field goal attempts and all three of his three-pointers, while filling up the stat sheet with seven assists and five rebounds.
Ray Allen contributed with 17 points and Kevin Garnett recorded a double-double (11 points, 13 rebounds). Marquis Daniels and Glen Davis added 12 and 14 points respectively off the bench.
Brandon Rush led the Pacers with 17 points on 3-9 shooting from the field. Danny Granger also put up a weak showing, tallying 15 points on an abysmal 5-21 shooting. As a team, Indiana only shot 37.2% from the field and 29.4% from downtown, while Boston shot 50.7% and 54.5%.
Indiana controlled the first three quarters of the game, leading by seven after the 1st quarter, a pair at the half, and just one point entering the final frame. The Pacers lead reached it's peak at 12 points when Mike Dunleavy scored a driving layup 3:22 into the 2nd quarter.
The Celtics took their first lead since early in the contest when Daniels converted a layup 52 seconds into the 4th quarter. That basket sparked a 10-0 run capped by a Ray Allen corner three to raise the lead to 77-67.
Despite a hard-fought effort from Indy, the Pacers were unable to come within six points after Ray's trey and eventually lost 83-95. Quis played his best quarter of the year closing out the game and embarrassed T.J. Ford on multiple occasions.
With the win, Boston improves to 24-5 on the season, while the Pacers drop to 13-16. The Celtics travel to Detroit for a meeting with the Pistons tomorrow night. Tipoff is at 7:30 in the Palace at Auburn Hills.
