Pacers vs Celtics game key points as Siakam was the star of the game.

Pascal Siakam had a score to settle Wednesday night against the Boston Celtics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and the stakes couldn’t have been higher.

The Indiana Pacers had a rocky start to their season, and memories of last spring’s sweep by Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals were fresh on their minds. But for Siakam, this game meant even more, as he was 0-13 against the Celtics since the start of the 2022-23 season, losing every single time he faced them with both the Raptors and Pacers.

Heading into this matchup, Siakam was laser-focused, and by the end, he was satisfied. The Pacers battled hard and ultimately came out on top with a thrilling 135-132 win in overtime. “It’s big,” Siakam said as he left the floor, “We’ve got to be that team that fights to the end.” Siakam was unstoppable, scoring 29 points, pulling down 11 rebounds, hitting six of his eight 3-point attempts, and nailing the last two critical shots that clinched the game.

Here are the key takeaways from this hard-fought Pacers victory:

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1. Indiana’s Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
For the Pacers, this game showed both progress and areas to improve. They played with energy and precision for three quarters, holding a commanding lead of 96-72 over the 4-0 Celtics. Their ball movement was strong, and they kept Boston’s 3-point game in check. By the time the game went to overtime, Indiana’s effort paid off with a much-needed win, though they had to fend off a Celtics comeback.

2. Boston’s Defense Nearly Seals It
The Celtics made a fierce comeback, especially in the fourth quarter, with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown scoring 24 points combined. But it was Boston’s tough defense that almost changed the game’s direction. Derrick White and Payton Pritchard led a Celtics defense that limited the Pacers to 24 points on 7-for-22 shooting and forced six turnovers. They even tied the game on a Tatum 3-pointer with just seconds left.

3. Mathurin’s Big Night Off the Bench
After a slow start this season, Bennedict Mathurin reminded Pacers fans why he’s a promising talent. Seeing his minutes drop in recent games, he returned in a big way on Wednesday with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and valuable energy. Logging more than 42 minutes, Mathurin’s performance helped Indiana’s offense click, and he may well be back on the path for a Sixth Man of the Year bid.

4. Celtics Are 3-Point Machines
Though the Celtics missed a few early, they ultimately hit 19 of 57 attempts from beyond the arc, bringing their season total to 105 in just five games. Boston is on pace to smash the NBA’s record for 3-pointers in a season, set by Golden State two years ago. If they keep it up, they could outpace that record by over 26%.

5. Pacers Face a Tough Road, Celtics a Smoother Path
The Pacers needed this win, especially with a challenging schedule ahead. They’ll face tough road games against the Pelicans and Mavericks, then come home to play the Magic and Knicks before another road trip. In contrast, Boston’s upcoming games seem more manageable, with matchups against Charlotte, Atlanta, and then a home game against Golden State.

For both teams, this game might serve as a marker. The Pacers showed resilience against one of the league’s strongest teams, and the Celtics proved they won’t go down without a fight. But with plenty of season left, each will face its own set of challenges in the coming weeks.

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