The one-eyed man is king: Celtics notch big 100-87 win over the Pacers

The Celtics nearly had to face the Pacers without Kelly Olynyk on Wednesday, as the big man's status was in doubt right until tipoff after he took an elbow from Shavlik Randolph during the pregame shootaround. He ended up playing with his left eye swollen and forced almost shut, but that didn't stop him from knocking down a three within moments of taking the floor late in the first quarter.

Led by Olynyk and Tyler Zeller, Boston shot 46.7 percent from the floor in the first half and took a 50-39 lead into the break. Through the first two quarters, the Celtics outscored the Pacers 26-12 in the paint and held Roy Hibbert scoreless with just one rebound and three personal fouls.

In the third, Indiana went on a 10-0 run, but the Celtics recovered and put together a strong fourth period to secure the 100-87 win. Olynyk and Zeller finished with 19 points apiece and Evan Turner recorded his third triple double of the season with 13 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds, becoming the fifth Celtic all-time to achieve that feat after Larry Bird (nine times), Paul Pierce, Antoine Walker and Rajon Rondo.

Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder also scored in double figures and Marcus Smart, despite a rough shooting night, had four steals and a team-high +14 rating.

George Hill was outstanding for the visitors, shooting 9-for-11 for 21 points. Rodney Stuckey added 16, C. J. Miles 12 and David West 10.

With the win, Boston snapped a three-game home losing streak and kept pace with the Nets, who survived an upset bid from the Knicks. The Celtics also opened up a two-game gap and won the season series against the Pacers, ensuring the tiebreaker advantage should it come to that.

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Image credit: AP Photo/Elise Amendola