Game 14 Preview: Pacers at Celtics

Paul George, the early favorite for the NBA MVP, and the Indiana Pacers
come to town tonight.

Two nights after playing the best team in the West, the Celtics (4-9) return home to the TD Garden to face the best team in the East, the Indiana Pacers (10-1).

The Pacers topped the Knicks in overtime, 103-96, on Wednesday to notch their tenth win of the year.

Meanwhile, the Celtics have dropped five straight. They are in a stretch of six games in eight days in six different cities. The teams the C's play during this stretch have a combined record of 52-20.

No one said it would be easy!

Projected lineups:

Pacers:
George Hill
Lance Stephenson
Paul George
David West
Roy Hibbert

Celtics:
Avery Bradley
Jordan Crawford
Jeff Green
Jared Sullinger
Kelly Olynyk


Keys to the game:

1. Kelly Olynyk: Brad Stevens said after Wednesday's game against the Spurs that he liked having Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk in the starting lineup. As far as the latter is concerned, he will be the measuring stick for the Celtics' success. In their four wins, Olynyk is averaging 11.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3 assists. In their nine losses, those averages drop to 6.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. He has a difficult task tonight as he will have to deal with Roy Hibbert. The way Olynyk plays tonight should dictate how the Celtics play.

2. Keep this low-scoring: In their nine wins, the Pacers have not allowed more than 96 points. In their only loss, the Pacers let the Bulls score 110 points. The Pacers have allowed the fewest points and the lowest opponent field goal percentage in the NBA. During their five-game losing streak, the Celtics have allowed 103.4 points per game. Boston needs to keep this game in the 80s or the 90s in order to put themselves in a position to win.