Ime Udoka asked for a calming force to help the Celtics get through rough patches where the offense spirals against opposing runs last week. It wasn’t a sustainable answer, and Indiana’s offense didn’t exactly do much to pressure Boston after they took a 10-point first half lead, but it emerged in Robert Williams’ offensive rebounds and put backs.
That answer disappeared in the second half after the Pacers adjusted. Domantas Sabonis took over the flow of the game, alongside Torrey Craig and Lance Stephenson, launching the Pacers back into the game on a 15-7 second half run with pass and precise passing from the low block.