A strong fourth quarter from the Celtics (24-5) overshadowed their struggles in the first three as they knocked off the Indiana Pacers, (score), and got back into the win column.
- The Celtics assumed control of this one late in the third quarter and in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter, largely on the shoulders of Marquis Daniels, Ray Allen and Glen Davis. Late in the third, Daniels exploited a mismatch with the smaller T.J. Ford, scoring two straight buckets and helping the Celtics trim a 10-point deficit (60-50) into a much more manageable one-point gap heading into the fourth quarter (67-66).
- The Celtics stormed out of the gates in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 unanswered points. Daniels contributed a jumper and then fed Davis and Von Wafer for baskets, before Allen buried a jumper of his own. Later, Daniels found Davis for another long jump shot, and then fed Allen for a three-pointer along the left wing to give Boston an 82-71 lead.
- While Daniels was key while Boston was closing things out, Paul Pierce was key in bringing his club back when it trailed early in the second quarter. With the C's trailing 34-25, Pierce scored their next 10 points, helping to trim the deficit to a more reasonable six points (38-32). Boston would ultimately trail by only two at the half (47-45).
- Pierce finished the night with 21 points and added five rebounds and seven assists.
- Daniels finished with 12 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two blocks (a key one down the stretch in the fourth to help halt a Pacers comeback). Perhaps he had some extra motivation playing against his former club.
- Ray Allen added 17 points and Glen Davis contributed 14.
- Despite shooting just 4-10 from the field (although he did bury a crucial bucket with three minutes left to help seal it), Kevin Garnett still finished with 11 points and added 13 rebounds.
- Shaquille O'Neal fouled out for the second straight game. He finished with nine points and two rebounds. Will he say something to get fined this time? Hey, it was pretty funny when he found out he was fined after the Orlando game.
- Jermaine O'Neal's presence was not felt for the second straight game (0 points, 2 rebounds, and three fouls in 12 minutes), but fortunately Davis is playing at a high level and is picking up most of the slack for the bigs off the bench. O'Neal's still working himself back into shape, and at least his presence on the court allows Semih Erden to heal his pulled groin muscle.