The lineups tonight were a little bit different from what was announced earlier. The questionable Indiana players were actually cleared to play, while the Celtics put Brandan Wright on the inactive list because of a pending trade to the Phoenix Suns for a protected first-round pick. And then during warm-ups, rumors started swirling that a Jeff Green to Memphis trade was about to be finalized. However, it wasn't until 20 minutes before game time that it was announced that Jae Crowder would start instead of Green. The deal didn't get done by close of business on Friday and will have to wait until Monday. Meanwhile, the Celtics can listen to other offers.

The game was Crowder's first start in green and his 25th in his three-year NBA career.

The game started sloppy with some more or less comical turnovers, such as Indiana's Rodney Stuckey throwing a pass across the floor to no one, and Boston's Evan Turner trying to run a 1-on-3 fast break and stumbling to the ground with no one touching him. For the Celtics, who had been keeping the turnovers to a minimum in their previous two games (six against both the Charlotte Hornets and the Brooklyn Nets), it was a bad omen that they had five in the first quarter alone. Soon, the Pacers turned a 4-7 deficit into a 23-11 lead, carried by Hibbert, who had his way under the Celtics basket and had 11 points in the first quarter before he went to the bench. The Pacers were ahead, 25-17, when the first quarter ended.

Both teams took better care of the ball in the second quarter, but the shooting percentages were still low for both teams, under 37 percent through the first half. The Pacers took a 46-37 lead into the locker room.

The second half started with abysmal shooting, especially from Indiana. At one point, the Celtics were able to make a 9-2 run on 4-of-13 shooting. It was mostly big plays from Roy Hibbert on both ends that kept the Pacers ahead in the game at this point. They were helped by some stupid fouls by the Celtics that sent them to the foul line, where they were hitting at a much higher rate (30-of-34 for the night).

The fourth quarter started with a 6-0 run for the Pacers to move ahead, 71-60. The Pacers had their biggest lead at 77-64 followed by an 8-0 run for the Celtics.

Both teams had strong performances off the bench. For Boston, it was Kelly Olynyk, Brandon Bass, and Marcus Smart who helped their team with double-digits scoring. Bass even scored a rare three pointer, and Smart hit three three-pointers in the fourth quarter. For Indiana, it was Luis Scola, Donald Sloan, and C.J. Miles, who also added double digits.

With only one and a half minute left to the game, the Celtics got their first lead, 90-89, since 7-4 in the first quarter. They hit six three-pointers in the fourth quarter, three more than in the first three quarters combined. 

With 13.6 seconds left of the quarter, Evan Turner had the chance to tie the game for Boston at the costless throw line, but missed the first, so the Celtics had to send Indiana to the foul line. David West hit both of his costless throws, giving his team the 94-91 lead and forcing the Celtics to hit a three pointer.

They were able to set Avery Bradley up for a challenged but well-balanced three-point shot, which he hit with less than five seconds to go. David West had the final shot of the quarter, but that one was out of his comfort zone, and he failed to even hit the rim. 

Both teams had some missed opportunities but none worse than David West, who missed a wide-open layup with just one minute again, while Boston was ahead, 103-102. A couple of scoreless possessions later, he redeemed himself at the foul line to give his team the lead back. 

After a turnover, the Celtics had to foul again, sending C.J. Miles to the foul line where he made it a three-point lead for Indiana with 11 seconds to go. And, although Boston was able to create another good three-point opportunity, Kelly Olynyk failed to convert. At the end, C.J. Watson made one of two costless throws for the final result, 107-103, for Indiana.

Roy Hibbert had the night's biggest stat line with 19 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and five blocks. Leading scorer was the Celtics' Avery Bradley with 23 points.

Boston continues their road trip in Toronto for a game tomorrow, while Indiana stays at home to play Philadelphia, also tomorrow.