The Boston Celtics returned home after their six-game road trip and took care of business at TD Garden.
After allowing 32 points in the first quarter, Boston's defense found its groove and limited the Indiana Pacers to only 63 total points the rest of the way. The C's cruised to their fourth win in their last five games, 120-95.
It was the Jays leading the way. Jayson Tatum finished with a game-high 34 points while Jaylen Brown chipped in 27. Derrick White just missed his second straight double-double with 22 points and nine assists. Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner notched 20 points apiece for Indiana.
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The Celtics will look to make it three consecutive victories when they host the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday night. First, here are our takeaways from C's-Pacers.
The Jays assert their dominance
This was your quintessential "best duo in the NBA" performance from the Celtics' two superstars, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The Pacers had no answer for either of them, and that's why the final score was so lopsided.
Tatum picked up where he left off in Sacramento with another 30+ point performance. This time, he dropped 34 to surpass the legendary Larry Bird for the most 30-point games in a single season in C's history (40). He also officially set a new career high for total points scored in a season with eight games still left to play on the regular-season schedule.
The key to Tatum's recent success has been his willingness to attack the basket rather than rely on the 3. He was 10-for-15 on shots inside the arc and 3-for-9 from deep on Friday night.
Tatum busted out of his slump, but Brown was never in one. The 26-year-old has been the Celtics' best player since the All-Star break and he stayed hot against Indiana.
Brown shot 10-of-23 from the floor, including 3-of-6 from long range, to finish with 27 points (15 in the third quarter). Since the break, he's averaging 27.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.
Derrick White is a delight
White has been one of Boston's most valuable players all year long and he stepped up as such again in Friday's win. With Malcolm Brogdon (low back pain) out, White was the secondary scorer Boston needed as he contributed 22 points on 7-of-7 shooting. He hit five of his nine shots from beyond the arc.
After a 12-assist game in Sacramento, White produced as a playmaker again with nine assists against Indiana. Tatum, Brown, and White combined for 83 of Boston's 120 points.
Robert Williams looks spry
Williams looked like himself in his second game back from injury. He's still being eased back into action, but Celtics fans should be enthused by what the big man put on display in his 16 minutes off the bench.
Time Lord brought down eight boards (two offensive) and was a menace on the defensive end. He added three steals and swatted away three of the Pacers' shot attempts.
We'll likely continue to see a limited Williams as the Celtics will look to keep him fresh heading into the playoffs. Given what transpired last year around this time, that's a smart plan.