BOSTON — The Indiana Pacers jumped out of the ride looking like they were about to make some noise in Boston. However, whatever Big Momma told them at the break about not competing in the second half worked. By the time the Fat Lady got out of the bed to even think about taking a shower or to reach for her makeup. The Celtics had sprinted through the Pacers 84-74. I’ll tell you what, they were lucky to get out of there with just a 10-point loss as bad as they played in the third quarter.
Indiana went toe to toe with a boy in the first quarter ending the opening period knotted up at 20. By the time we got to the break the Pacers were up 45-38 playing very efficient basketball. Then somebody must have thrown a horse head into the Pacers locker room because they came out of the break and stunk up the joint.
They completely wet the bed in the third quarter going 2-19 from the field and allowing Boston to go on a 15-1 run to start the half. Bruh…they only knocked down two field goals in the entire third quarter. That’s NUTS!!!
It was as if the Celtics were shooting the ball into an ocean and the Pacers were trying to dunk an elephant into cup of water. It was crazy!!! Ever since Victor Oladipo went down back in January folks have been asking the question, where’s Indiana going to get buckets when they need them especially come playoff time?
Bojan Bogdanovic has been the answer during the remaining portion of the season. However, it just got real on Sunday Game 1 in Boston and nobody gave them buckets. Bojan finished with 12 points, Corey Joseph came off of the bench with 14 and guess what playa? Nobody else could muster up double digits. That’s a problem right there.
If you can’t get buckets, you can’t win in the playoffs and THIS is the playoffs playa. The Blue and Gold shot a dismal 33 percent from the field, 22 percent from behind the arc and a terrible 57 percent from the free throw line.
On the other side of the fence the Celtics had five players in double figures led by Kyrie Irving and Marcus Morris’ 20 points apiece. Jason Tatum dropped off a smooth 15 as both Al Horford and Gordon Hayward put 10 each in the collection plate.
It’s going to be a tough series for the Pacers especially after losing 4-1 this season to Brad Stevens Crew including this Game 1 loss. Well…all Indiana can do is shake this loss off as soon as possible and get ready for Game 2. Let’s get it.