(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Despite playing lackluster crap basketball for 2 1/2 quarters, the Celtics still managed to beat the Pacers 95-83.
The Celtics trailed 60-50 with 5:33 remaining in the 3rd quarter. They proceeded to "flip the switch" and outscored Indiana 45-23 over the final 17 minutes.
What happened? Marquis Daniels (12 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, +17) happened. Quis' repeatedly posted up his smaller defenders and when he wasn't scoring, he was finding the open man.
Paul Pierce (21 points, 7 assists) had another effective night as a point forward. Ray Allen had 10 of his 17 points in the 4th quarter.
There were several atrocious calls by the officials. The whistle on TJ Ford for "tripping" Paul Pierce, the offensive goaltending on Shaq as he dunked the ball, and the foul on Nate Robinson for receiving a head butt from Mike Dunleavy.
Nate suffered a cut over his left eye from the head butt. He was sporting a super-size band-aid on the bench. He did not return, but I'm guessing that was due to the effective play of Daniels and not the cut.
UPDATE: Sherrod Blakely says Nate received 6 stitches.