Gameday Preview: Celtics Battle Familiar Foe in Indiana Pacers
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Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics host the Indiana Pacers tonight in a key Eastern Conference matchup. This game is important for the Celtics, who have fallen out of the top eight teams in the Eastern Conference after Wednesday's loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
Indiana comes to Boston off a loss to the Golden State Warriors 111-107 on Wednesday. They are led in scoring by Malcolm Brogdon at 21.7 and Domantas Sabonis at 21.5. Sabonis leads them in rebounds at 11.7 per game while TJ McConnell is tops in assists at 6.6 per contest. Center Myles Turner is the top shot-blocker at 3.4 per outing, which also leads the entire league.
The Celtics counter with their All-Star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who pace Boston’s scoring with each of them scoring roughly 25 points per game. Tristan Thompson is the team's leading rebounder at 8.4 per game, and Tatum leads them in assists at 4.5. Over the past 10 games, the Celtics are 3-7 with a three-game losing streak. Since starting the season 8-3 Boston has a record of 7-14 and has looked lackluster in several of their losses as they struggle for consistency this season.
On the injury front, the Pacers will be without guard Caris LeVert (kidney issue) and forward TJ Warren (foot injury). The Celtics will not have guard Marcus Smart (calf strain) and swingman Romeo Langford (wrist surgery).
Make sure to tune in to our live pregame show, the Banner Town Build Up, 30 minutes before the game on YouTube and Twitter @GuyBostonSports. The Celtics tip-off against the Pacers at 7:30 PM EST on ESPN.
