Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics show up Indiana Pacers - Worcester Telegram

INDIANAPOLIS â€"  The Indiana Pacers beat Oklahoma City on Friday night, proving that they indeed are one of the league’s up-and-coming teams.

One night later, the Boston Celtics showed the Pacers what the next level looks like. Paul Pierce scored 24 points to help the Celtics beat Indiana, 86-72.

The veteran-laden Celtics did what winning playoff teams do. They controlled the tempo, played stifling defense and made timely shots all night. Indiana matched its lowest point total of the season.

“I thought defensively, we were sensational tonight,” Boston coach Doc Rivers said. “In a game where shots are not going in and you can still win the game, that means you can trust your defense on nights that it (the offense) doesn’t work.”

Ray Allen added 19 points, Kevin Garnett scored 15, and Rajon Rondo had 12 assists for the Celtics.

Allen came off the bench for just the second time this season. He made 5 of 11 3-pointers, including 3 of 5 in the second half. He had missed six games with an ankle injury and has been back for just three games.

“We got him good shots, and I told him, it’s still going to take a couple of games,” Rivers said. “He’s still trying to get his legs back. I thought in the second half, you could see he had a breakthrough.”

Boston also got a key contribution from Greg Stiemsma, a rookie from Wisconsin who has received increased minutes because Jermaine O’Neal has been out after left wrist surgery. Stiemsma had 10 points, a season-high 9 rebounds and 5 blocks. Much of his damage came against All-Star center Roy Hibbert.

“Greg came in and did a terrific job,” Rivers said. “Guarding Hibbert is no fun. He’s just a big man, and he’s physical, and I thought he did a sensational job.”

Boston snapped a two-game skid and remained ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers at the top of the Atlantic Division.

“They’re playing at a very, very high level,” Indiana coach Frank Vogel said. “They have a championship coach and a championship core. They know how to get it done.”

Danny Granger scored 20 points, David West had 16, and Hibbert added nine points and 17 rebounds for Indiana. The Pacers had won four in a row and had scored more than 100 points in five consecutive games. Indiana shot 35 percent from the field, made just 5 of 22 3-pointers and committed 19 turnovers.

“This is just a bump in the road for us, and we must put it behind us and get ready for the next game,” Granger said. “We had several shots that could have dropped, but they didn’t.”

Indiana had the young legs and the depth, but looked tired against the older Celtics. It was the Pacers’ fourth game in five nights, and it finally caught up with them.

“We knew coming into the season the lockout would have an impact on games,” Vogel said. “You can’t overreact or underreact in any situation.”

Boston took a 22-19 lead, then held the Pacers scoreless for the next 7:23 to take a 36-19 lead.