D. Sabonis’s team, which hit a curious three-point hit, finally fell in Boston.

A major battle with Indianapolis, a recently bustling neighbor of the standings, started well – initially scoring 12 points without an answer, and moments later leading 18: 4.

However, the “shuttles” quickly returned to the match, and when the first half sirens sounded, they even led – 32:31.

The game was fair, but since the beginning of the second half, the Pacers have led this game just once.

After the break, the Celtics held a double-digit lead for the first time (77:67) and while the Pacers managed to restore intrigue and keep the gap to a minimum during the deciding quarter (97:98), the hosts finished further. solidly, ending a series of three failures in the Eastern Conference, bypassing the Pacers.

D. Sabonis, who was selected to the All-Star Match for the second time in his career because of Kevin Durant’s injury, demonstrated why the tall man is worthy of being among the best basketball players in the league. Lithuanian in 37 minutes. he scored 24 points (6/9 doubles, 1/3 trit., 9/10 penalty), bounced 6 balls and had 9 assists.

Domas also had a curious triple in the fourth quarter: the ball thrown by the Lithuanian bounced off the goal, bounced twice off the top of the board and finally landed in the basket.

Justin Holiday scored 19 points for the guests and Myles Turner added 17 points and bounced 10 balls.

The Indianapolis team couldn’t stop Cemba Walker, who has received much criticism this year and is in the shadow of the club’s other two stars. The player scored up to 32 points and made 6 assists.

At the Eastern Conference tournament table, a veritable meat grinder. Three clubs, including the Celtics, share 5-7 places with 16 wins and 17 losses (48.5%), the Raptors have one more win (17-17) and the Hornets with 8-9 and the Pacers are only one tenth (48.4%)) behind in terms of wins and losses.

“Boston Celts”: Kemba Walker 32, Daniel Theis 17, Jalen Brown 15 (7th ed., 5th ed.), Robert Williams III (11th ed.) And Jeff Teague after 14, Jason Tatum (4/18 years old) and Payton Pritchard after of 9.

“Indiana Pacers”: Domantas Sabonis 24 (6th rec., 9 res.), Justinas Holiday 19, Myles Turner 17 (10 rec., 3rd block), Aaron Holiday 15, Malcolm Brogdon 12 (6th rec., 6 res. ).

Other nightly results:

“Toronto Raptors” – “Houston Rockets” 122: 111 (N. Powellas 30 / V. Oladipo 27);

“Detroit Pistons” – “Sacramento Kings” 107: 110 (J.Grantas 20 / D.Foxas 27);

“Miami Heat” – “Utah Jazz” 124: 116 (J.Butleris 33 / D.Mitchellas 30);

“Chicago Bulls” – “Phoenix Suns” 97: 106 (Z.LaVine’as 24 / D.Aytonas 22);

Memphis Grizzlies – Los Angeles Clippers 99: 119 (J. Valančiūnas 22 / K. Leonardas 30);

Oklahoma City Thunder – Atlanta Hawks 118: 109 (Gilgeous-Alexander 24 / Collins 25);

“Golden State Warriors” – “Charlotte Hornets” 130: 121 (S. Curry 29 / M.Monkas 25);

Los Angeles Lakers – Portland Trail Blazers 102: 93 (L. James 28 / D. Lillard 35);