Sports

Sabonis hits late basket, sends Pacers past Celtics 108-107

By MICHAEL MAROT, AP Sports Writer

Pacers beat Celtics Indiana Pacers' Doug McDermott (20) puts up a shot against Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) (Darron Cummings/AP)

By MICHAEL MAROT, AP Sports Writer

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Domantas Sabonis scored on a layup with 8.4 seconds left and finished with his 100th career double-double, helping the Indiana Pacers get past Boston 108-107 on Sunday night.

Sabonis finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Malcolm Brogdon scored a season-high 25 points as Indiana improved to 3-0 for the first time since the 2013-14 season.

Jayson Tatum led Boston with 25 points, but missed a 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds to go as the Celtics lost their second straight.

Boston controlled most of the first half but missed its first seven shots to start the second half and was forced to play catch-up. The Celtics took a 107-106 lead after Marcus Smart scored on a fast break with 11.8 seconds to go.

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But after calling timeout, Sabonis drove to the hoop, made the basket and drew a foul. He missed the free throw.

Tatum’s shot to win the game was off the mark.

The game turned quickly in the second half.

Boston opened the third quarter with seven straight missed shots and Indiana took full advantage with a 12-0 run that gave the Pacers a 61-55 lead. It was the jolt of energy the Pacers desperately needed playing its second game in two days.

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Indiana extended the margin to 81-70 on Brogdon’s 3-pointer with 3:16 left in the third. The Celtics charged back, finally tying the score at 96 on Tristan Thompson’s basket with 6:19 to go.

TIP-INS

Celtics: Tatum also had 11 rebounds and five assists. ... Jaylen Brown added 18 points and Payton Pritchard added 13 points off the bench. ... Boston had 18 turnovers.

Pacers: Brogdon had five rebounds and five assists. ... T.J. Warren had 17 points and Doug McDermott 16 off the bench. ... McDermott has had three straight double-figure games.

OLADIPO OUT

The Pacers deactivated two-time All-Star guard Victor Oladipo on the second game of a back-to-back. Officially, the reason given was injury management — a reference to the ruptured quad tendon in his right knee, an injury he suffered in January 2019. Unofficially, this was something Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Prtichard wanted when he was searching for a new coach this fall. Coach Nate Bjorkgren responded by mixing and matching his rotations.

UP NEXT

Celtics: Planning to stick around Indianapolis for an unusual Tuesday night rematch against the Pacers.

Pacers: Will try to win their fourth straight under coach Nate Bjorkgren against Boston on Tuesday.

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