The Boston Celtics are looking for consistency as they begin a four-game road trip against the suddenly hot Indiana Pacers on Monday in Indianapolis.
Boston has lost two of three games, most recently matching a season low in scoring in its 100-95 home loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.
Celtics star Jaylen Brown not only wants to correct his offensive production before Monday, but also the officiating. Boston only attempted four free throws in the loss, prompting a tirade from the group’s leader.
“I honestly feel like (San Antonio) got away with a lot of things,” Brown said. “I’m fed up with the inconsistency. I accept the fine. They are a good defensive team, but not that good… It’s extremely frustrating. We played with intensity. We are exceeding our expectations… I’m furious with the way they refereed the game.”
After Derrick White’s 29 points and Brown’s 27, the Celtics received an unexpected boost thanks to reserve Baylor Scheierman, who scored 10 points in the loss. The second-year player from Creighton is averaging just 2.8 points per game, but Scheierman remains ready for coach Joe Mazzulla’s team.
“I didn’t know if I was going to play (Saturday) or not. That’s just the way it is,” Scheierman said. “My job is to be ready when my name is called and just try to go out and have an impact on the game in any way possible.”
Brown’s 29.5 points per game and White’s 18.6 lead the Celtics, who are hoping for their third win in as many tries against the Pacers this season.
Indiana has the worst record in the league at 8-31 and is on pace to post the worst winning percentage (.205) in franchise history. However, the Pacers have won two straight after a 13-game losing streak. A win on Monday would mark the team’s first three-game winning streak of the season.
“It was good to be back in front of a friendly crowd,” Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said after the Pacers’ 123-99 victory over the Miami Heat on Saturday, the team’s first home win since Dec. 8. “I think our guys kept the fans engaged on Saturday, which is something we had to do.”
In an injury-plagued season in which the Pacers have had 24 players at once, familiar face Andrew Nembhard has been a key piece. Nembhard, a key member of last year’s Eastern Conference championship team, is averaging career-highs of 17.6 points and seven assists per game.
“I think we’ve been a very confident group, but it’s good to get wins,” Nembhard said. “I don’t remember the last time we got two in a row, so it’s good.”
Pascal Siakam, another returning player from last year, leads the team with 23.6 points per game, while Bennedict Mathurin contributes 17.8. However, Mathurin has missed the Pacers’ last four games with a thumb injury and was ruled out for Monday. Nembhard (low back pain) is questionable.
–Field level media
