What a difference a week makes. Two Fridays ago, the Celtics squared off with the Pacers and won in the Garden 114-112. Indiana was on fire. They hit 12-of-27 from behind the arc and punished Boston on the glass with 14 offensive rebounds for 20 second chance points. Seven days later in Bankers Life Field House, the Celtics’ defense clamped down and held the Pacers to under 100 points.
That two-game set is a good precursor to how the Celtics will deal with Indiana’s offensive attack. The Pacers are a mediocre offense that caters to their biggest strength: their front court.