The Pacers (20-14) are fourth in the Eastern Conference, and the Celtics (27-7) are first in the NBA rankings. A two-game mini-series between the two will begin on Saturday.
The Boston Celtics take on the Indiana Pacers on the second night of a back-to-back after defeating the Utah Jazz 126-97 to improve to 27-7 and 17-0 at TD Garden, tying their greatest start to a season at home.
Tyrese Haliburton was handing out 18 assists in a 150-116 victory against the Atlanta Hawks, while Jayson Tatum was packing the stat sheet with 30 points, nine rebounds, five assists, a block, and a steal in the win against the Jazz.
Boston and Indiana are equal in their season series, 1-1. In an early November battle in which Haliburton did not participate, the former defeated the latter 155-104. In the In-Season Tournament, the hosts lost 122-112 to the former.
As the two enter a two-tilt mini-series at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the visitors will have Kristaps Porzingis in the lineup. The seven-foot-three center is dealing with a left calf strain that’s caused him to miss nine games this season.
But after registering 19 points, five rebounds, two assists, and a block against Utah, the former All-Star will suit up for the second half of the C’s back-to-back. It helps that he got the fourth quarter off on Friday, limiting his minutes to 27.
