The Indiana Pacers have the best offense in the NBA this season.
They are scoring an impressive 122.
4 points per 100 possessions, nearly two points more than the second-place team.
They could score against anyone.
Well, almost everyone.
No one can score against the Boston Celtics, who have the second-best defense in the NBA.
Indiana has scored less than 105 points in a game three times this season, including two against Boston.
Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton missed one of those games, but the Pacers scored 144 points and 109 points during Haliburton’s two other absences.
Of course, his worst game without him was against the Celtics.
Last night, Boston came to Indianapolis and defeated the Pacers by 17 points.
They held the Blues and Golds to just 101 points, Indiana’s lowest scoring total all season.
Their defense was incredible, and they were one of the few teams that could consistently slow Haliburton and the others.
“They’re a really good team,” Pacers forward Obi Toppin said after the game.
He said the Pacers did a good job of sticking to their offensive game plan, but were slowed down all night by a demoralized defense.
The Celtics present some challenges to the Pacers Perhaps the biggest issue Saturday night was the team’s overall shape.
Boston has several talented wingers and tall guards who can keep good size on the court for his entire 48 minutes of the game.
This is especially true against Indiana.
The Blue and Gold recently made changes to their starting lineup, adding Jalen Smith to the roster along with Aaron Nesmith.
Nesmith is a winger, but Smith is a mid-sized No.
4 and not an ideal defensive option against an offensively talented winger.
And on Saturday, the Pacers were without either Bruce Brown or Andrew Nembhard due to injury.
They are two guards with defensive skills that would have been important against the Celtics, but the blue and gold instead started Buddy Hield at .
All this led to a difficult duel across the pitch.
Smith spent more time protecting rushing defenseman Jrue Holiday than any other player.
Hield was star perimeter player Jaylen Brown.
Meanwhile, Holiday smothered Haliburton and roamed the zone to guard Smith.
In general, most of the rare crossing matchups favored the Celtics, giving them a subtle advantage on every possession.
During the game, this will be a huge advantage.
“They have the best starting five in basketball,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said.
“Containing them is a tough job.
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Miami Heat The Indiana Pacers boast the best offense in the NBA this season.
They are scoring an impressive 122.
4 points per 100 possessions, nearly two points more than the second-place team.
They could score against anyone.
Well, almost everyone.
No one can score against the Boston Celtics, who have the second-best defense in the NBA.
Indiana has scored less than 105 points in a game three times this season, including two against Boston.
Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton missed one of those games, but the Pacers scored 144 points and 109 points during Haliburton’s two other absences.
Of course, the worst game without him was against the Celtics.
Last night, Boston came to Indianapolis and defeated the Pacers by 17 points.
They held the Blues and Golds to just 101 points, Indiana’s lowest scoring total all season.
Their defense was incredible, and they were one of the few teams that could consistently slow Haliburton and the others.
“They’re a really good team,” Pacers forward Obi Toppin said after the game.
He thought the Pacers did a good job of sticking to their offensive game plan, but a demoralized defense slowed them down all night.
The Celtics pose some challenges for the Pacers.
Perhaps the biggest issue Saturday night was the team’s overall condition.
Boston has several talented wings and big guards that will allow him to maintain good size on the court for his entire 48 minutes of the game.
This is especially true against Indiana.
The Blue and Gold recently made changes to their starting lineup, adding Jalen Smith to the roster along with Aaron Nesmith.
Nesmith is a winger, but Smith is a mid-sized No.
4 and not an ideal defensive option against an offensively talented winger.
And on Saturday, the Pacers were without either Bruce Brown or Andrew Nembhard due to injury.
They are two guards with defensive skills who would have played a key role against the Celtics, but Buddy Hield was in his place in the starting lineup in the blue and gold.
All this led to a difficult duel across the pitch.
Smith spent more time protecting rushing defenseman Jrue Holiday than any other player.
Hield was star perimeter player Jaylen Brown.
Meanwhile, Holiday smothered Haliburton and roamed the zone to guard Smith.
In general, most of the rare crossing matchups favored the Celtics, giving them a subtle advantage on every possession.
During the game, this will be a huge advantage.
“They have the best starting five in basketball,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said.
“It’s a big job to contain them.
” Boston’s superior defense and unique matchup are already making things difficult for the Pacers.
That doesn’t take into account star players Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, who combined for 69 points Saturday night.
The first time Indiana played the Celtics, the Celtics scored 62 points and won by 51 points over the Green and White.
Overall, Boston has an advantage over Indiana.
However, his ability fell short twice against the Celtics.
In early November, the Pacers shot 5-of-37 from deep at TD Garden.
Saturday was 8/42.
The Pacers have only shot less than 20% from 3-point land three times this season, and two of those came against Boston.
It is clear that it is important to record more.
But that’s pretty much the gist.
The Celtics have a lot of small, non-obvious advantages over the Pacers.
Indiana must press through, even if it is difficult to overcome.
The Celtics will get another chance Monday night as they play one more game this season in Indianapolis.
If Indiana has a better night from beyond the arc, they have a chance to win despite the many obstacles they face in the matchup.
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