Turner gets the point in this Pacers win

The visiting Pacers defeated the Boston Celtics 102-97 Saturday night. The Pacers are now an NBA best 45-13 while the Celtics are 20-40.
The Big Plays
The Pacers were in a two-point game with just over a minute to go when Pacers coach Frank Vogel called a timeout. What happened was a designed play where Paul George came wide open for a 3-pointer and he calmly sank it to secure the victory for the Pacers. Also, whether you are in favor of replay or not, it worked to the Pacers favor in this one. Celtics guard Rajon Rondo banked in a 3-pointer as the shot clock was expiring late in the game. So at the time, it counted as three points. But at the next timeout, the officials reviewed the call and saw the ball was clearly in Rondo's hands as the shot clock light came on, signifying the clock had run out. So, three points for the Celtics were wiped off the board, increasing the Pacers advantage from 94-93 to 94-90.
The Ups

Pacers forward Luis Scola had a steal and
a rare dunk in Saturday's win at Boston.

1) If there was any question if the Evan Turner trade was worth it, those questions were pretty well answered in the fourth quarter. Turner scored eight of his 17 points in the quarter and single-handedly kept the Pacers offense in gear early in the quarter. He also had a key assist to George as well. And that doesn't count Turner's ability to guard different positions on the floor. Late in this game he was on Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo and what I liked about his defense is that he fought through screens by going above the screener, not below, making it more difficult for Rondo to make a play. It was also interesting to see coach Frank Vogel try Turner at point guard in place of C.J. Watson in the fourth quarter. Turner, while not quite a natural there, did prove quite capable and was comfortable enough handling the ball against pressure. That was a key role in this win since point guard George Hill missed the game with an injury.
2) It might not have been the biggest numbers game for David West, but once again he proved his ability to make the right plays in pressure situations. West hit two key shots down the stretch when the game was close and also made a key pass to Paul George for a layup. West is the leader for Pacers and he also proved once again that he is a clutch player. And he did finish with 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists. And that doesn't include him directing Turner, just in his second game with the Pacers, on what to do and where to go on offense.
3) George continued his better play after the break. He finished with 25 points on 9 of 20 shooting and also had eight rebounds. But what was good about this game is that after a good first half, where he hit both of his 3-point attempts, and then struggling in the third quarter, when he missed all three of his 3-point attempts, he looked confident in hitting that late 3-pointer to clinch this win. It's just good to see him not be afraid to take the big shot after missing a few and even better to see him make that big shot as well.
The Downs
One area where the Pacers could have done better in this game was on the boards. They were outrebounded 41-38 and while that by no means is a big margin, the fact that this happened against a Celtics team that does not have a true center is a bit of an issue. The Pacers also had just four offensive rebounds. That was partly because they shot the ball well at 51 percent, but still with their size advantage, you would think they have been able to get a few more offensive rebounds in this one.
Afterthoughts
Unlike the win over Milwaukee Thursday, this was actually a good win. The Celtics had plenty of energy in this one. While it wasn't the Pacers best game of the season by any stretch, it was a game were the opponent was clearly motivated to knock off the team with the best record in the league. Also, the Pacers now have 17 wins on the road, just two less then they had all of last year. It's a credit to how good they are when they are not at their best, but still find ways to win these types of games away from home.
Next Up
The Pacers come home and face the Utah Jazz in a 6 p.m. game Sunday night. The Jazz have had a difficult year and are 21-37 coming into the game. The Jazz had won two straight before losing at Cleveland Friday night. It will be a homecoming for former Butler star Gordon Hayward, who is averaging 16 points 5.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists. Other leaders for the Jazz have been Alex Burks at 13.7 points, Derrick Favors at 13 points and 8.7 rebounds, rookie Trey Burke at 12.5 points and 5 assists, Enes Kantner at 12 points and 6.2 rebounds and Richard Jefferson and Marvin Williams each at 10 points a game. The Pacers won the first meeting this season 95-86 back on Dec. 4. The Jazz have been respectable though, since starting the season with a 4-21 mark. And the Jazz did not play Saturday night, so the Pacers will be facing a rested team on the second night of their back-to-back.