The Boston Celtics had to have been feeling some type of added motivation heading into Sunday’s battle against the Indiana Pacers. The C’s had followed up a spirited Opening Night win over Milwaukee with a 28-point loss to the Nets on Christmas Day.
Against a fellow Eastern Conference foe in the first of a two-game mini-series, the Celtics were hoping to get off on the right foot.
Boston built an early 11-point lead in the first but seven turnovers committed by six different players allowed Indiana to shrink the deficit to four. Both Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart scored six in the opening frame.