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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- The Boston Celtics are learning their
lesson.
|  | | Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal works to block Antoine Walker's path through the key. |
Antoine Walker scored 22 points and Vitaly Potapenko added 15 as
the Celtics managed just four points in the final 6:42 of
regulation, but regrouped in overtime and beat the Indiana Pacers
102-96 Wednesday night.
The victory extended the Celtics' winning streak to a four
games.
"It's not a work of art, but we'll take it," Boston coach Jim O'Brien said. "Our guys started to believe in each other when we played Minnesota and Sacramento. Then we beat Miami and got crushed by Toronto, but we have to learn how to win on the road."
Paul Pierce, Boston's leading scorer, was limited to five points
through three quarters and finished with 18 points.
Potapenko's 15 points, more than double his average.
The Celtics struggled during the first four minutes and the
final seven minutes of regulation. Boston played well enough in
between -- and in overtime -- to win their first game at in
Indianapolis in 10 games.
"Any time you can beat a good basketball team on the road, it's
a good win," O'Brien said. "We played with tremendous composure."
The Celtics' offense vanished following an 11-2 run that gave
them control of the game with 8:29 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Reggie Miller, who finished with 19 points, and Jalen Rose, who
had 26, rallied the Pacers.
"Tonight was one of those nights where we really got stuck,"
Indiana coach Isiah Thomas said. "We couldn't have our offensive
players on the floor because we were behind, so we had to go with
our defensive guys and they can't score.
"But you have to keep those guys in there so you can get back into the game."
The Pacers closed within 85-84 on Jermaine O'Neal's dunk, but
O'Neal missed a potential game-tying free throw with 1:14 left.
O'Neal tied the score at 85 by making one of two free throws
with 29.7 seconds left, but Pierce hit two free throws to give
Boston an 87-85 lead.
The Pacers forced overtime when Rose drove in for a 3-footer with 1.4 seconds left.
"For as bad as we shot the ball early in the game, we know that
the one constant we have is defense," Pierce said. "We are just
coming together real well lately and our chemistry is improving
with every game."
The Celtics opened the overtime on an 8-2 run and the Pacers never challenge again.
"The key is, they found ways to win," Rose said. "Those guys just stepped up and made the plays they needed. I can't sit here and have a mouth full of excuses, we just didn't get it done and we haven't been getting it done."
Game notes
The Pacers have lost three straight at Conseco Fieldhouse
for the second time this season. Indiana lost just five home games
last season. ... Walker turned in his 26th double-double of the
season. ... Boston is 8-2 when scoring at least 100 points. ...
Indiana had limited eight consecutive opponents to less than 100
points before Boston ended that streak Wednesday. ... Celtics guard
Randy Brown was carried off the court following the game. He
suffered a hyperextended left knee.
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