Boston Celtics

Pascal Siakam scores 29 points and makes tiebreaking 3 to send Pacers past Celtics 135-132 in OT

By The Associated Press

Pascal Siakam scores 29 points and makes tiebreaking 3 to send Pacers past Celtics 135-132 in OT INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 30: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics shoots a three point basket during the game on October 30, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) (Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)

By The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Pascal Siakam scored the last of his 29 points on a 3-pointer with 6.1 seconds left in overtime to give the Indiana Pacers a 135-132 victory over the previously unbeaten Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.

Siakam tied his single-game career high with six 3s and grabbed 11 rebounds. Bennedict Mathurin scored 21 of his 30 points in the second half, and Tyrese Haliburton had 17 points and 12 assists.

The victory ended Indiana’s three-game losing streak.

Boston charged back from a 19-point fourth-quarter deficit to force overtime and led 132-130 after Derrick White’s layup with 39.7 seconds to go. But Indiana scored the final five points to win.

Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 37 points. Jaylen Brown added 25 points and had a chance to tie the score but his 3 in the waning seconds was off the mark. White finished with 23 points in the first matchup between these teams since Boston swept Indiana in last season’s Eastern Conference finals.

Takeaways

Celtics: Through the first four games, Boston looked like the defending NBA champs — winning three times by double figures. They weren’t dominant Wednesday, but they didn’t go down without a fight, either, the true mark of a champion.

Pacers: Indiana’s high-scoring, fast-paced offense reappeared. The result looked familiar, too. The Pacers finished with a season-high point total — even though they nearly threw away the contest with a rash of late turnovers.

Key moment

Siakam scored the final five points for Indiana, tying the score on a midrange jumper with 36 seconds left before giving the Pacers the lead for good. It wasn’t sealed until Brown’s 3 fluttered out of bounds.

Key stats

Indiana produced season highs in rebounds (57) and 3-pointers made (15).

Up next

The Celtics will try to rebound Friday in Charlotte while the Pacers make their only trip this season to New Orleans on Friday.

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