In a game that ended Indiana’s six-game winning streak, the league-leading Celtics (Tatum 38, Brown 31) restricted the Pacers to their lowest point total of the season.

With a defensive stance dialed in, Boston held the Pacers to 17 points in the first quarter, matching their season-low set in their 155-104 victory on November 1.

The Pacers battled back after Celtics forward Kristaps Porzingis left the game in the first quarter due to an eye laceration, dealing an early setback.

The Pacers were able to cut into a 16-point hole and were down 58-49 at halftime, thanks in large part to the 18 turnovers committed by the Celtics, 12 of which occurred in the first half.

The Celtics blew out the Pacers, who had eliminated them from the NBA in-season tournament in December, in the fourth quarter, 84-81.

Half of the Celtics’ 16 three-pointers were made by Tatum, who made a season-high eight of them. He also had six assists and thirteen rebounds.

“We know they can put up 160,” Tatum stated. That’s a top-tier offense right there. Pace is their game. They swap lobs. When you go to Indiana, you better be ready to shoot.

The Pacers were led by 20 points from bench player Bennedict Mathurin. In addition to his 17 points, Tyrese Haliburton dished out seven assists and had five steals.

On Monday, the two teams will clаsh again, and Tatum has already stated that he thinks it will be even more difficult to slow down the best offense in the league.

“It’s going to be tough,” he reportedly stated. “You can be sure that they will make some changes. We need to figure out how to improve. This is akin to a road playoff series.

In other news, the New York Knicks defeated the Washingtоn Wizards 121-105 thanks to 39 points from Julius Randle and 33 from Jalen Brunson. This is the fourth consecutive win for the Knicks.

After beating the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, the Knicks cruised to a 26-point lead that they never relinquished.

The 76ers suffered their second consecutive loss at the hands of the Utah Jazz, who defeated them 120-109 in Philadelphia.

Due to swelling in his left knee, the 76ers did not have their reigning NBA MVP, Joel Embiid, on the court.

Tobias Harris, De’Anthony Melton, and Robert Covington were all out with injuries for Philadelphia.

Lauri Markkanen was the Jazz’ leading scorer with 33 points and 13 rebounds.

Without Joel Embiid—who has also missed time this season due to a sprained ankle—Philadelphia dropped to 2-6, despite Tyrese Maxey leading the team with 25 points and Kelly Oubre Jr. adding 24.