Total Control

The Boston Celtics secured their second straight win over the Indiana Pacers. Unlike Game 1, Joe Mazzulla’s team appeared to be in total control on both sides of the floor. Some tweaks to Boston’s matchups and a stumble into an effective lineup both helped the Celtics up the pressure on Indiana as the series heads to their home turf.

Let’s dive in.

Celtics 126 - Indiana 110

🚑 Injury report (Boston): Kristaps Porzingis — Right Soleus Strain

🚑 Injury report (Miami): Bennedict Mathurin

⭐ Jaylen Brown came into this game fresh off being snubbed for an All-NBA team. He exploded for 40 points and looked unguardable all night. The Celtics have been using Brown as their primary interior scorer all season, and last night was no different. He attacked in transition, was a ferocious cutter, and found ways to turn the corner when operating as the ball-handler on the perimeter.

When Brown is aggressive, his presence on drives opens up opportunities for his teammates. The defense can either collapse to contain his drive, or they can stick to shooters on the perimeter and live with him getting a steady diet at the rim — teams rarely choose the latter, and why would they?

10 of Brown’s 14 made shots came on the interior. Most of those interior buckets came via transition or early offense. When you factor in his elite defense on the other side of the floor and his overall aggression, you can see why he was the Celtics’ most important player throughout the game.