INDIANAPOLIS (Interstat) — Pascal Siakam hit a 7-foot jumper with 6.8 seconds remaining Monday night to lift the Indiana Pacers to a 98-96 NBA victory over the Boston Celtics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Celtics led 56-53 at halftime, but the Pacers used a 26-point third quarter to seize control. Boston rallied in the fourth, tying the game on a Derrick White basket with 29.1 seconds left before Siakam’s game-winner. Siakam finished with 21 points and eight rebounds for Indiana. Payton Pritchard led Boston with 23 points and eight assists. The loss dropped Boston to 24-15. Indiana improved to 9-31. An announced crowd of 15,650 attended.

INDIANAPOLIS (Interstat) — In a stunning reversal of fortune, the Indiana Pacers, owners of one of the NBA’s worst records, delivered a resilient performance to edge the playoff-bound Boston Celtics 98-96 on Monday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The game was decided in the final seconds by Pascal Siakam, whose clutch play throughout the night culminated in the game-winning basket. With the score tied at 96 and 6.8 seconds remaining, Siakam received the inbound pass, worked his way into the lane, and sank a 7-foot jumper over Boston’s defense with just 5.1 seconds left on the clock. Boston had one final chance, but Derrick White’s desperation 32-foot 3-point attempt as time expired missed, securing the Pacers’ improbable victory before a crowd of 15,650. The most important part of the game was unquestionably the Pacers’ collective resolve in the fourth quarter, which allowed them to withstand multiple Boston rallies and set the stage for Siakam’s heroics. After trailing by as many as 14 points in the first half and entering the final period down 79-73, Indiana methodically chipped away at the deficit. A 13-4 run to open the quarter, fueled by T.J. McConnell and Quenton Jackson, gave the Pacers an 86-83 lead they would not relinquish, despite Boston tying the game twice in the frantic final minutes. The contest was a tale of two halves, defined by significant runs. Boston dominated early, using a 15-2 surge in the first quarter to build a 24-10 lead. The Celtics’ ball movement and interior presence, led by Neemias Queta’s early activity, staked them to a 56-53 halftime advantage despite a 34-point second quarter from Indiana, which featured a barrage of 3-pointers from Jay Huff and Aaron Nesmith. Indiana’s second-half adjustment was to lean heavily on Siakam and its defense. After a quiet first half, Siakam took over, scoring 15 of his team-high 21 points after the break while also contributing 8 rebounds, 6 assists and a critical late block. His all-around performance anchored the Pacers as they weathered Boston’s attempts to pull away in the third quarter, which included a 10-0 Celtics run. Boston was led by Payton Pritchard’s 23 points and 8 assists, while Derrick White added 18 points and 5 assists. Anfernee Simons contributed 16 points off the bench. The Celtics’ center tandem of Queta (15 points, 8 rebounds) and Luka Garza provided consistent interior scoring, but the team’s offense sputtered in the final minutes, missing several chances to take the lead. For Indiana, Huff’s outside shooting was a revelation, as the 7-foot-1 center scored 20 points, hitting 6 of 10 from 3-point range. Andrew Nembhard orchestrated the offense with 13 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds, and Jarace Walker added 11 points and 7 rebounds, including several key defensive stops late. The loss dropped Boston to 24-15 on the season, while the Pacers improved to 9-31, securing just their third win in the last ten games. The result defied pregame expectations, as statistical models gave Boston a 78.3% probability to win, and the Celtics had been installed as 6.5-point favorites. The game’s total of 194 points fell dramatically under the over/under line of 224.5, highlighting the defensive struggle that emerged in the second half. The teams will meet again in Boston on Wednesday, Jan. 21. Boston next travels to face the Miami Heat on Thursday, while Indiana hosts the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday.

Preview: Celtics at Pacers INDIANAPOLIS (Interstat) — The surging Boston Celtics visit the struggling Indiana Pacers on Monday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in a matchup of teams at opposite ends of the NBA standings. The Celtics (24-13) enter on a strong run, having won seven of their last nine games. They are coming off a 125-117 home victory over Toronto on Friday, led by Jaylen Brown’s 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Brown has been a consistent force, averaging 30.1 points over his last 10 contests, including a 50-point outburst against the Los Angeles Clippers on Jan. 3. In contrast, the Pacers (7-31) have the league’s worst record and have lost 10 of their last 12. Their most recent outing was a rare bright spot, a 114-112 road win over Charlotte on Thursday. Pascal Siakam powered that victory with 30 points and 14 rebounds. Recent history heavily favors Boston. The teams have met twice this season, both Celtics wins. Boston dominated 140-122 in Indianapolis on Dec. 26, with Brown scoring 30 points. Just four days earlier, the Celtics secured a 103-95 home win. For Indiana, slowing down Brown will be a primary concern. The Celtics’ star guard has averaged 30.5 points in the two meetings this season. The Pacers will rely on Siakam, who is averaging 24.2 points and 7.6 rebounds over his last 10 games, though he was held to 11 points in the Dec. 26 loss to Boston. The game is the start of a three-game road trip for Boston, which visits Miami on Thursday. Indiana continues a four-game homestand, hosting Toronto on Wednesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.