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Pacers’ Siakam Shines with 29 Points in Victory Over Celtics

The Indiana Pacers clinched a nail-biting victory over the previously unbeaten Boston Celtics, winning 135-132 in a riveting overtime game on Wednesday evening. This triumph was led by Pascal Siakam, who delivered a commendable performance, scoring the final 3-pointer with just 6.1 seconds remaining. Siakam matched his career-best with six 3-pointers and secured 11 rebounds, tallying up to an impressive 29 points.

Mathurin and Haliburton Contribute to Pacers’ Win

Bennedict Mathurin proved instrumental in the Pacers’ win, scoring a major chunk of his 30 points, 21 to be exact, in the second half of the game. Tyrese Haliburton also made his presence felt with 17 points and 12 assists. This victory enabled Indiana to break free from their three-match losing streak.

The Celtics, however, did not go down without a fight. Despite trailing by a 19-point deficit in the fourth quarter, they managed to push the game into overtime and even took a 132-130 lead after Derrick White’s layup with just under 40 seconds remaining. However, the Pacers dominated the final moments, scoring the last five points to claim victory.

Celtics’ Tatum and Brown Steal the Show Despite Loss

Jayson Tatum spearheaded the Celtics with an impressive 37 points, while Jaylen Brown contributed 25 points. Brown had the opportunity to level the score but his 3-pointer in the dying seconds fell short. Derrick White, too, had a significant impact, scoring 23 points in the clash which marked the first encounter between these teams since the Celtics swept the Pacers in the previous season’s Eastern Conference finals.

Takeaways from the Clash

Despite the loss, the Celtics displayed the tenacity of champions, fighting back with vigor even when they weren’t at their dominant best. The Pacers, on the other hand, saw a resurgence of their high-scoring, fast-paced offense. They set a season-best score, despite some late turnovers that almost cost them the game.

The Deciding Moments

Siakam’s final five points were crucial in turning the tide for Indiana. He leveled the score with a midrange jumper with 36 seconds left and then gave the Pacers a permanent lead. The game wasn’t officially decided until Brown’s 3-pointer fell out of bounds.

Impressive Stats for Indiana

The Pacers set season highs with 57 rebounds and 15 3-pointers made.

What’s Next?

The Boston Celtics will be looking to bounce back on Friday in Charlotte, while the Indiana Pacers will be heading to New Orleans for their only visit this season.