Celtics 94, Pacers 75: Rajon Rondo collected 18 points and seven assists as host Boston emphatically snapped its four-game losing skid.
Kevin Garnett had 18 points and seven rebounds before he was ejected midway into the fourth quarter. Paul Pierce and Courtney Lee chipped in 13 points apiece for the Celtics, who defeated the Pacers for the 12th time in 14 regular-season home contests.
Tyler Hansbrough had a team-high 19 points and David West finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Pacers, who fell for just the third time in 12 outings.
After admitting that the losses were getting to him, Rondo rocketed off to a fast start by scoring 10 points in Boston's 32-point second quarter. Pierce added eight in the session as the Celtics seized a 47-35 advantage at intermission.
Garnett drilled a pair of jumpers before Pierce sank a 3-pointer to push Boston's lead to 17 midway through the third quarter. Boston was never in serious jeopardy and cruised to just its third win in 11 outings.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Garnett was tossed from the contest after elbowing Hansbrough. The veteran was issued a flagrant 2 foul and was ushered out of the game. ... Indiana struggled mightily from 3-point range, converting just four of 17 attempts. ... Celtics F Brandon Bass returned to the starting lineup and finished with four points.
Indiana | Boston | |
Tyler Hansbrough 19 | Scoring | Kevin Garnett 18 |
D.J. Augustin 4 | Assists | Rajon Rondo 7 |
Roy Hibbert 10 | Rebounds | Jared Sullinger 10 |
Tyler Hansbrough 5 | Free Throws Made | Jared Sullinger 3 |
Paul George 3 | Steals | Rajon Rondo 2 |
Ian Mahinmi 2 | Blocks | Brandon Bass 2 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Indiana | 75 | 31.8 | 4-17 | 17-28 | 14 | 47 | 7 | 8 | 19 |
Boston | 94 | 44.9 | 4-9 | 10-18 | 22 | 49 | 8 | 9 | 14 |