Pacers beat Celtics in overtime- Second unit stays hot
By TYLER SMITH
ISL Editor
(Photo by Pacers Sports and Entertainment)
INDIANAPOLIS — The first home game after a Western road trip is always a tough challenge. The Pacers met the challenge, winning in overtime over the Boston Celtics 107-103 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. It was their first overtime win of the season in three tries.
It wasn’t just cold outside Bankers Life tonight. Both teams shot under 40% from the field for the game. The difference came at the foul line. The Pacers made 30-of-34 from the line, while the Celtics were just 11-of-16. In their last six games, the Pacers have made 87% (135-155) of their free throws which becomes a huge factor in close games like tonight.
The Pacers second-unit continues to produce at a high level. They combined for 52 points, compared to 55 points from the starters. This season, the Pacers bench is 3rd in the NBA in scoring (28th last season). C.J. Miles scored 17 points and made 4-of-8 from behind the arc. Luis Scola scored 14, and Donald Sloan added 10.
“The bench play is critical,” Coach Frank Vogel said after the win. “We want to play 9 or 10 deep, and those guys are critical to what we do.”
C.J. Miles says the second-unit is just playing ball: “We’re playing free. We have lots of guys who are interchangeable as starters or reserves, and we’re just playing basketball.”
Roy Hibbert had a nice night with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocked shots. He hasn’t led the Pacers in scoring in too many games this season, but when he has the Pacers are 5-2 in those games.
The Celtics made two trades today, leaving them with a small roster for tonight’s game. They were led by Avery Bradley who scored 23 points and hit the game-tying three to send the game to overtime. They had six players in double-figures, but it wasn’t quite enough to get the road win.
“We felt like we were the better team,” Coach Vogel said. “And when you’re the better team, you welcome five more minutes. It’s always a tough energy game to play 36 hours after you get back from out west. I was proud of the whole performance.”
Out of their next 17 games, the Pacers will face 12 teams with sub .500 records. This will be a great opportunity to put together a nice stretch.
“We’ve got to keep approaching these games like they’re all winnable,” David West said. “Hopefully we keep improving and get some consistency.”
C.J. Miles added: “We know what’s coming up with our schedule but we also know we have to take it one game at a time. Anybody can beat anybody in the NBA.”
The Pacers will be in action once again tomorrow night as they play the Sixers in Philadelphia.
Follow Tyler on Twitter: @TylerSmith_ISL
