Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. Pacers: Boston's Pace, Ball Movement, and Three-Point Defense Fuel Blowout Victory

Celtics improve to 51-23 with a 25-point drubbing of the Pacers.

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The Celtics put together their second-straight 20-plus-point win with a 120-95 victory over the Pacers.

Sometimes, a team's lethargic in their first home game after an extended road trip, but that wasn't the case Friday night at TD Garden. Boston's energy and activity defined its win against Indiana.

The hosts did an outstanding job protecting the three-point line, limiting their guests to 4/26 (16.4 percent) shooting from beyond the arc. They also constantly got into passing lanes, leading to 17 turnovers, which they converted into 21 points.

Their effort on the defensive glass kept the Pacers to six offensive rebounds and five second-chance points, the second-straight opponent they've held to the latter figure. That also helped the Celtics consistently operate in transition and maintain their up-tempo approach.

Jayson Tatum led all scorers with 34 points in the victory, pairing it with seven rebounds and two steals. Jaylen Brown registered 27 points, grabbed seven boards, and dished out four assists.

Derrick White contributed 22 points, nine assists, matching Tyrese Haliburton for the most, and four rebounds.

And Robert Williams, coming off the bench for the second-straight game, became the first player in Celtics history to record at least three blocks and three steals while playing fewer than 20 minutes.

The Time Lord finished with four points, eight rebounds, three steals, and three blocks in 16 minutes.

Now, a deep dive into what stood out in each quarter of the Celtics' win over the Pacers.

Celtics' Ball Movement Fuels Sharpshooting First Frame

Even with Robert Williams available, Boston kept Derrick White in the starting lineup, just as it did against the Kings on Tuesday. The Celtics have been better with two guards on the floor this season, and like in Sacramento, it makes sense based on the opposing personnel, which is what drove Joe Mazzulla's decision in both instances.

The hosts shot the lights out in the first frame. They drilled 5/9 threes (55.6 percent), including four straight. They also knocked down 60.9 percent of their field goals, producing 18 points in the paint.

At the root of that was consistently playing up-tempo, quick and purposeful actions and effective ball movement -- when not turning it over -- assisting on 10/14 makes.

Boston defended the three-point line well but could've done a better job keeping the Pacers out of the paint. Some of that was the product of four turnovers translating to six points for Indiana. But there were also too many instances in the half-court where the visitors got to the cup.

After a thunderous throwdown by Jordan Nwora and an Isaiah Jackson flush with 5.2 seconds left, it seemed the two teams would enter the second quarter knotted at 32. But Jayson Tatum broke to the basket for a layup that gave the hosts a 34-32 advantage after 12 minutes.

The four-time All-Star led all participants with 13 points in the first period. White registered six, and Jaylen Brown chipped in five.

Myles Turner paced Indiana with nine points. Tyrese Haliburton, who picked up a technical after expressing his displeasure over the lack of a foul call on his layup -- from this author's vantage point, he was correct -- contributed six points and seven assists.

Both Teams Lock in Defensively in the Second Frame

The defense tightened up on both sides in the second quarter. Boston still could've done a better job keeping the Pacers out of the paint, surrendering 18 points there.

But the hosts protected the perimeter to the tune of Indiana going 0/7 from beyond the arc. Between that and keeping the visitors off the foul line -- they went 1/4 -- the Pacers only generated 23 points in the frame.

The Celtics didn't fare much better, putting 26 on the board. They shot 34.6 percent from the field, including 2/8 (25 percent) on threes.

What also stood out in the period was the difference in second-unit contributions. Indiana's bench chipped in 14 points. Boston's added four. The latter's eight-player rotation was significantly less impactful through 24 minutes without Malcolm Brogdon, out due to left lower back pain.

But the Celtics still entered halftime with a 60-55 edge, thanks to shooting 7/17 (41.2 percent) from behind the arc and producing 30 points in the paint.

Tatum led all scorers with 21 points after 24 minutes. Brown registered 12, and White had ten and four assists.

Turner led the Pacers with 15 points at the break. T.J. McConnell had ten, and Haliburton scored nine, pairing it with seven assists and four rebounds.

Celtics Dominate the Third Quarter

Boston outscored Indiana 32-21 in the third frame.

Brown played the entire period and led the way with 15 points, entering the fourth quarter with 27, leading all scorers.

The hosts' defense fueled its offense in the third quarter, exemplified by them converting eight Pacers turnovers into ten points.

They also limited the visitors to 37.5 percent shooting from the field, including 1/5 from beyond the arc.

Boston's energy and effort stood out as the Celtics built a 7-2 advantage in fast-break points and 7-0 in second-chance baskets. Limiting Indiana to one offensive rebound helped them consistently operate in transition and maintain their up-tempo pace.

It translated to Boston taking a 92-76 lead into the final frame.

Celtics Cruise to the Finish Line

Tatum ensured the hosts started the fourth quarter strong, generating eight of the period's first 16 points.

Not wanting to let the lead slip, even with the hosts ahead 109-82 with 7:22 left, Joe Mazzulla opted to bring Brown back into the game. About three minutes later, with the Celtics up 112-92, Mazzulla subbed out Tatum and Brown.

From there, the second unit put the finishing touches on Boston's 120-95 win.

Up Next

The Celtics host the Spurs Sunday night. The matchup tips off at 6:00 pm EST. Inside The Celtics will have content related to the game before, during, and afterward. And follow @BobbyKrivitsky on Twitter for updates and analysis from pregame to post.

Further Reading

Former Warriors' Director of Performance Keke Lyles Shares His Perspective on Load Management, Changing Stephen Curry's Movement Patterns, And What's Helped Jayson Tatum's Durability

Devin McCourty Expresses Admiration for Jaylen Brown: 'I'm Excited to See What His Growth Looks Like and How He's Able to Impact the Community'

Jaylen Brown Addresses Non-Committal Comments About Celtics' Future: 'I'm Focused on Helping Lead My Team for Another Playoff Run'

Jayson Tatum on Robert Williams' Impact on the Celtics: 'We’re Just a Different Team'

Celtics Discuss Capping Road Trip with Convincing Win vs. Kings: 'That Looks Like the Team I Recognize'

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. Kings: Boston Looks the Part of a Title Contender, Capping Six-Game Road Trip with a 4-2 Record

Jaylen Brown Wants the Celtics to Get Back to the Defensive Identity that Helped them Reach the Finals